Series 3 timing stroboscope

Talk about the E-Type Series 3

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chris420sa
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2016 1:50 pm
Great Britain

#1 Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by chris420sa » Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:29 pm

Would greatly appreciate if member/s could please advise the details of an ignition timing stroboscope suitable for the Series 3. As we all know, the timing marks are not that accessible, so the connection cable from the No1A HT lead sensor of the timing light to the strobe light needs to be long enough to get a good "shot" at the timing marks.
A previous owner has fitted the SNG Barratt electronic ignition replacement.
I assume that the 12 degrees BTDC is OK (I run on Shell V-power which should be at least 98RON) with the vacuum retard disconnected and the vacuum connection sealed?

I'm not sure if the timing marks allow for checking at about peak torque as well? The ROM seems to be silent on this. 31 degrees BTDC at about 3500 rpm about right? With the vacuum retard reconnected?

Look forward to hearing from you.
All the best
Chris
Chris Davies
1972 Series 3 2+2

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Whitact
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Location: Devon
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#2 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by Whitact » Wed Oct 18, 2017 2:58 pm

HI Chris,
I use this one:
http://www.gunson.co.uk/items/pdf/produ ... ctions.pdf
The leads are just about long enough to allow the timing light to be held in the right position and it gives a good bright flash. It has an adjustable dial that allows you to check the timing at 3,000rpm.
I set mine to 12deg and run both on 95RON without any hint of pinking.
Cheers,
Adrian Turner
S3 OTS & FHC
S1 FHC
XK140 FHC

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abowie
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#3 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by abowie » Wed Oct 18, 2017 10:10 pm

chris420sa wrote:
I'm not sure if the timing marks allow for checking at about peak torque as well? The ROM seems to be silent on this. 31 degrees BTDC at about 3500 rpm about right?

Look forward to hearing from you.
All the best
Chris
Chris i have a "dial back" timing light that I use to map advance. I don't have a S3 so can't comment specifically but I have found it a useful bit of kit. You do need 2 people to do this though; one on the accelerator holding the engine at the requisite RPM and one under the car measuring advance.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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42south
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Location: Ohope beach, New Zealand
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#4 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by 42south » Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:04 am

Hi
I have found that due to the placement of the timing marks, the straight head type of light quite difficult to get in position to see the marks.
I bought a similar one to this. I do like the dial back feature to get accurate numbers. Your numbers sound right to me. I run on 95 octane down here with no pinking.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Equus-3568-Dig ... SwA3dYDk7q

The ability to angle the head at any angle makes it much easier to use.
Cheers
Mark Brown
1971 S3 Etype, now sold, sadly.

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MarekH
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#5 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by MarekH » Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:54 am

I just fixed a new timing plate to somewhere where I could see it and drew a new line on the damper.

kind regards
Marek

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chris420sa
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#6 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by chris420sa » Sat Oct 21, 2017 11:14 am

Many thanks to all for your helpful responses.

Just one more question: as the scale on the fixed plate for the timing only goes up to 30 degrees BTDC, could you please advise what the "dynamic" ignition timing should be and at what rpm. Presumably that should be at the point where the centrifugal advance is operating at its maximum?

Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best

Chris
Chris Davies
1972 Series 3 2+2

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Whitact
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#7 Re: Series 3 timing stroboscope

Post by Whitact » Sat Oct 21, 2017 1:18 pm

Chris,
According to Roger Bywater: www.jagweb.com/aj6eng/ignition.php
31 deg BTDC @ 3500 rpm, as per your original post.
Cheers
Adrian Turner
S3 OTS & FHC
S1 FHC
XK140 FHC

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