Help Setting Timing on my EFI Install

[KMoore68]

Hi,

I have added Timing control to my ECU on my 1977 911 S Targa and I'm struggling getting it to read the correct timing on my timing light.

I have a MS2 ECU connected to a Pertronix Ignitor and MSD Streetfire box.

The car will run and idle and without adjusting any settings in the ECU, I can't get the timing to read correctly for idle on the timing light.

Am I correct in that my first goal should be to get the timing light to read 5 ATDC as the car is idling and I should be rotating the distributor to make this happen.

If I can't get this to read 5 ATDC on the timing light, what should I do?

[Showdown]

Perhaps I’m missing something (always possible!) but as I repeatedly posted in your other threads, you can’t control timing on a mechanical distributor (unless it’s locked out) with an MS2 or MSD streetfire.

I had the exact same setup as you did and was only able to control fuel, not timing.

If you want to control timing you either have to lock out the distributor and modify its operation or remove it completely and go with an ignition control system like edis or coil on plug.

But yes, you set timing on the dizzy by rotating it until 5 ATDC is static with a timing light.

If you can’t do that, then something else is wrong- what are the details of your engine/build.

[eastbay]

5 degrees ATDC is with the vacuum cannister plugged in and operating, should be around 0 with vacuum plugged.

5 ATDC is a horrible emission setting, should be running 0 or better with no vacuum retard.

[KMoore68]

Originally Posted by Showdown

Perhaps I’m missing something (always possible!) but as I repeatedly posted in your other threads, you can’t control timing on a mechanical distributor (unless it’s locked out) with an MS2 or MSD streetfire.

I had the exact same setup as you did and was only able to control fuel, not timing.

If you want to control timing you either have to lock out the distributor and modify its operation or remove it completely and go with an ignition control system like edis or coil on plug.

But yes, you set timing on the dizzy by rotating it until 5 ATDC is static with a timing light.

If you can’t do that, then something else is wrong- what are the details of your engine/build.

I believe that are partially correct, I can lock out the distributor and have full control or I can keep the mechanical advance and use the ignition table as an overlay, ie. advance on top of the factory mechanical advance. Al has clarified this to me in an email.

I am planning on locking out the distributor once I get my current problem solved, which I believe is related to needing to rotate the distributor shaft a tooth or two that should allow me to adjust advance via rotating the distributor housing.

[al lkosmal]

Kevin,
While verifying the timing, set the igniton settings in tunerStudio, to "fixed" advance at 0 degrees and then use the distributor to adjust the timing to match the fixed advance. This will verify that your timing light and your ECU timing match and that you are not adding advance via the table, while trying to set base timing. Once you've done this, you can then return the ignition setting to "Use Table".....but remember the table will be an adder, over and above the mechanical advance, so needs to be used wisely.
For full ignition control, you would need to lock out the mechanical advance.

NOTE: If you can't adjust the distributor to match the fixed setting ,then it is likely that you are a tooth off.

regards,
al

[Showdown]

Al, are you certain about this- only my original install 1977 S, pertronix, MSD streetfire, MS2 v3.57, fuel only X-factory kit) the table had zero effect on timing. Confirmed with timing light while adjusting the table in TS with the engine running and setting to “use table”

[al lkosmal]

If you are configured for and set to fuel only, the table has no effect. If I remember correctly, your ECU was configured for fuel control.....however, Kevin's ECU is configured for both fuel and ignition and he is trying to move from fuel only to fuel and ignition control.

[KMoore68]

Originally Posted by al lkosmal

Kevin,
While verifying the timing, set the igniton settings in tunerStudio, to "fixed" advance at 0 degrees and then use the distributor to adjust the timing to match the fixed advance. This will verify that your timing light and your ECU timing match and that you are not adding advance via the table, while trying to set base timing. Once you've done this, you can then return the ignition setting to "Use Table".....but remember the table will be an adder, over and above the mechanical advance, so needs to be used wisely.
For full ignition control, you would need to lock out the mechanical advance.

NOTE: If you can't adjust the distributor to match the fixed setting ,then it is likely that you are a tooth off.

regards,
al

Thanks Al, I plan on locking out my distributor once I move it a tooth.

[Showdown]

Gotcha, that explains the disconnect- thanks.