Please help me set my timing, dwell and advance

[austin552]

Got 101 project 23 read My timing light has a advance knob so I read its manual and got confused. So I did a search and am really confused now. The motor is a 1971 2.2l. Marelli distributor with no vacuum. I have new plug wires plugs and points. Points gap is set at 0.012 at last check.

[Walter_Middie]

Austin,

You're going to have to tell us where you are getting confused.

The Marelli distributor points should be set to 0.016 in for a 1971.

The timing is set by rotating the distributor - you loosen the clamp and it will turn. As it turns the timing changes. My dial timing light looks like the one at the bottom of page 71. I find ground and power in the engine compartment at the 3 fuses under the cover on the left of the engine compartment. The sensor is clamped around the plug wire going to cylinder #1 - left rear. Start the car and the light will flash. Point it at the crankshaft pulley and you will see the timing marks move as you rev the engine. It helps to see the timing marks if they have some white chalk in the timing groves. Now set your timing light dial to 35 degrees, and rev the engine until the crankshaft pulley marks quit moving. They should stop with Z1 pointed straight up, aligned with the mark at the bottom of the alternator housing - as shown on the bottom of page 72. Rotate the distributor until the marks line up with the timing light dial set at 35. This may take a couple of tries as you might want to just rev the engine quickly, get the reading, and then let it idle while you rotate the distributor and try again.

Let us know where you are getting lost.

[pjo046]

The points gap will affect the timing. So since your points gap is not within spec, you should first adjust the points gap to the correct value before the final adjusting of the distributor body.

If you adjust the timing properly, and then adjust the points gap, the timing will have to be readjusted after that.

[Flat6pac]

You do need point gap to run. Set the timing near mark and run the dwell. If the dwell is too large, the points are too closed. If the dwell is too small, the gap is too large. If you can run, you can get the dwell to spec, then just set the timing. Just use the strobe light running it up to 4K and get your advance set @ spec.
Dont expect your strobe to set things you know arent right, read your marks and go with it.
Bruce

[austin552]

I set the points to 0.016 when open right? What do I set the advance knob to on the timing gun?

[TimT]

Zero

[Walter_Middie]

Set the point gap with the points open at their widest position. Turn the engine by hand so that the points rubbing block contacts one of the high points on the distributor cam - that's where the points are open the widest.

Once you get the engine started, set your timing light advance dial to 35 degrees for your engine. My book doesn't show a setting for idle, so just set the timing at 6,000 RPM at 35 degrees, and don't worry about the idle timing - it's only important for getting the engine going enough to set the high RPM timing.

[Flat6pac]

Spin the engine, dont worry about the knob. you should have full advance at just over 4K, go tyo 6 if you want

[docrodg]

Because the 911 has the final timing advance marked on the pulley you do not need to adjust the knob on your timing light. The advance knob is used for cars that only have a TDC mark on the pulley when you want to confirm the total advance. Keep yours at 0 and use the pulley marks.

[austin552]

Okay,
1. Set the points gap to 0.012 when open all the way.
2. Timing light advance knob set to 0.
3. Run engine to 6,000 rpm.
4. Use the two marks on the pulley.

[Walter_Middie]

Set the point gap to 0.016.

There are 2 ways to find 35 degrees BTDC with the engine running at 6,000 RPM. The traditional way with an older timing light that does not have a dial adjustment, you have to find the mark on the crankshaft pulley at 35 degrees. With the new adjustable timing lights, you can dial in the 35 degrees on the timing light, and the crankshaft pulley will show up at Z1. Whichever one you are more comfortable with. They both do the same thing.

[berettafan]

The dial helps you find wgat your timing is if not at a mark when set to -0-

[austin552]

Set the points gap to 0.016
Connected the timing lights red clamp to the top red lead at the fuse panel.
Connected the black clamp to a fan housing bolt.
Connected the plug wire clamp to plug #1 wire

Nothing.... no strobe


Also I havea dwell meter. How can this aid the progress?

[Walter_Middie]

Use a volt meter or test lamp to ensure that you are getting power to the top red lead at the fuse panel, and that you have a good ground.

Make sure the plug wire clamp is fully seated on the plug wire. Mine doesn't work if it is not fully around the plug wire.

[Flat6pac]

When I get my power off the rear fuses I usually jump the top two to give me better connection..problem is the car wont shut off with the key with the fuses crossed...but it gives me a good connection.
Bruce

[austin552]

Tested the connection and there is good power there. Thinking maybe I had the plug wire clamp facing the wrong way. I'm an idiot.

[berettafan]

Take a pic for us

[austin552]

[austin552]

[Scott Douglas]

That's a better place for the ground IMHO.