Ignition timing

[theweaver]

Hi, I have just completed my top half rebuild, and I would like to know how I set my ignition timing, I do not have a strobe. 1980 911 SC 3.0

I am aware how to set the timing with contact breaker, but mine is electronic.

I have positioned the pulley at 5 degrees mark, I have set my rotor arm so that the leading edge aligns up with the mark on the distributor body for no 1 cylinder. I do not know whether this is correct. Assuming the engine runs I will then borrow a strobe to carry out the final settings.

The books that I have read only seem to cater for contact breaker distributor.

Perhaps there is a post somewhere that details my dilemma.

[Flat6pac]

When you set your rotor to the notch, the points under it will be lining up. If youre not 180 out it will start. You rotate counter clockwise so the leading edge of the rotor should be lined with the notch
Bruce

[boyt911sc]

Set crankshaft pulley @ Z1 (compression) for cylinder #1 (both intake and exhaust valves closed and rockers' gaps @ 0.10 mm) and distributor rotor pointing towards the scribed marking on the distributor body. Engine should run and use stroboscope TL to fine tune the ignition timing.

Did you set the cam timing without the distributor installed for reference (orientation)? If you did the cam timing correctly with the distributor installed and using the rotor for reference, your ignition timing should be good to start the engine

Tony

[Eagledriver]

To get a precise timing you'll need a strobe. To get a "good enough" timing you can set the timing visually. Do what you did to get it close then do this: Look inside the distributor at the "fingers" that rotate and pass buy the static fingers. This is the magnetic pick-up. The ignition fires when the fingers make their closest approach. Turn the pully to the disired idle timing (I think you were using 5 degrees), Then adjust the distributor so the fingers on the rotating part line up with the stationary fingers inside the distributor. You will now have the timing set as well as you can without a strobe.

-Andy

[theweaver]

Thanks for your replies, I will try a start up tomorrow.