The 'E' Type Forum

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

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,

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.

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

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

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,
According to Roger Bywater: www.jagweb.com/aj6eng/ignition.php
31 deg BTDC @ 3500 rpm, as per your original post.
Cheers