Jase Posted July 15, 2020 Report Share Posted July 15, 2020 (edited) My distributor has a knurled wheel with A and R on it. Is this for fine tuning my advance and retard? Edited July 15, 2020 by Jase Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 15, 2020 Report Share Posted July 15, 2020 (edited) Yes that's right. Each graduation on the shaft by the diaphragm housing represents 4 degrees of advance. Edited July 15, 2020 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndyR100 Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 my old grey-cells have always used 10-11 clicks of the vernier as 1 degree A/R adjustment. Of course, i may have been mistaken with the exact number! ..... Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jase Posted July 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 It’s useful, had quite a bit of pinking and slugishness initially. Going to fit electronic ignition today so hopefully it will improve the accuracy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Jase said: It’s useful, had quite a bit of pinking and slugishness initially. Going to fit electronic ignition today so hopefully it will improve the accuracy Wont make any difference unless you get the timing right, take the base plate out and make sure the weights are free and the springs are still there. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 +1. There's no use in putting electronic ignition on a worn distributor hoping it will fix things. It still uses the mechanical weights and springs and the vacuum advance, so those have to be working properly before you start. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jase Posted July 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 Guys, I know but it will improve the accuracy of points, fit and forget. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 Electronic ignition isn't a panacea for a totally knackered distributor but will reduce timing scatter and the gradual deterioration you get. As part of fitting the module the ignition timing will need to be set anyway and it's is a good opportunity to do some checks, minor repairs and lubrication. At the same time you can check for slack in the bearing/bush( a little is OK) and if the bob weights have seized, or if the springs are still attached. Sometimes the eyes of the springs can be a bit loose on the "posts" and you can nip them a bit tighter with long nosed pliers to resolve the slack if present so that the advance is controlled properly by the springs. Lubricate well and see if it sorts things. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 .........fit and forget that the basic instrument is in need of a professional rebuild. Save your time and spend your money getting it rebuilt by http://www.distributordoctor.com/. No connection just a very satisfied customer Iain Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted July 16, 2020 Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 4 hours ago, Andy Moltu said: Sometimes the eyes of the springs can be a bit loose on the "posts" and you can nip them a bit tighter with long nosed pliers to resolve the slack if present so that the advance is controlled properly by the springs. Andy, I found this info on tuning distributors (link below) which says the stronger (secondary) spring should be loose. Quote: Because the primary spring is in control of the lower end of the advance curve, it must be in tension under static conditions. The secondary spring must be loose to allow the primary spring to work and produce the characteristic advance curve with two different rates of advance as shown. Perhaps 'nipping them up' as you suggest is not a good idea? http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/pdf/tuning_lucas_dist.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jase Posted July 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2020 All done and working much better, distributor was fine, points were in need of changing so that wouldn't have helped. All cleaned and lubricated. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.