Ignition timing

[southernscouse]

hi   Have 1954 A40 Devon van want to set the ignition timing can not do it by setting on No1 and then turning the dizzy until points open because it has electronic ignition

removed the panel of floor inside to find my column change box has no inspection panel  so how do I set it   Thanks Tom

[Bruce]

Hi. Dont really understand why you are looking at the gearbox to sort ignition timing??

Easiest way is, if you have “converted” electronic points, is to replace them temporarily with conventional ones and then set timing as in the manual. If you actually have a  fully electronic dizzy there should be a little led light on it that shows when it is set correctly. Hope this helps

[MikeN]

When I fitted electronic ignition to my 54 pick up a couple of years ago I made a protractor from aluminium (don’t need a full circle just a segment) and fitted it to the starting handle for the reason you state. I stuck a bit of masking tape to the front bumper and made a mark with a biro. This enabled me to find tdc and the before tdc position.  I fitted a timing light on one of the terminals to the ignition coil. I can’t remember now exactly how you wire it but I just Googled it and it was very simple. I can’t remember the before tdc I set it to. Maybe 5 or 7 degrees (whatever it said in the book). Ive done about 9000 miles since then and haven’t looked at it since then. I get around 32-34 mpg so I don’t think  it can’t be far off. I think more experienced people set it by sound and feel without any of the above but I’m not that clever.

[southernscouse]

Thanks for the replies

to Bruce the manual says there is a mark on the flywheel which can be seen through inspection hole on gearbox bell housing lhave no TDC marks on the engine pulley  the dizzy has a ignition module with no lights.

To mikeN

have thought about the possible marking the engine pulley at tdc by watching piston and valve position then I would need some measurement for the correct timing

 

 

[MikeN]

southernscouse,

Your 54 van and my 54 truck are obviously very similar. I have a thread running on the “OldClassic Car” forum about some of the work ive done to mine. If you look on the second page you might be surprised to see being discussed the very things you mention above. I found it impossible to observe the cranshaft pulley with the engine in place.

Here is the link.

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21798&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

If the link doesn’t work its on the forum under “all our old cars” then look for Austin A40 Devon pick up” about half way down the page. You can see that I set mine to 7 deg. Seem ok

Mike

[southernscouse]

Thanks.  MikeN have sent off to join that forum think l will try the dial gauge through the plug hole and mark the pulley then work out with a protractor to find 7 degree

[southernscouse]

Another method that’s pops up is using a vacuum gauge to set timing has anyone done this  and can I tee into the vac pipe from the carb or do I have to drill the manifold if so were.  Thanks

[southernscouse]

Just did a bit more reading on this it seems beat place to drill is the carb spacer anyone know what size bore I need

was thinking about a small brass tube glued in the spacer   Thanks

[southernscouse]

Took the carb off with intention of drilling the spacer then realised there was plenty of space to drill the neck of the manifold and no chance of swarth going into the intake because the carb was off

set ignition to highest vacuum and also the mixture screw on the carb

car runs starts on the first turn of the key and revs up quickly

onthe first drive it was kangarooing a bit but calmed down at higher revs still got a overheating problem hope a new rad will sort that out

any one got anything to add.  Cheers Tom

[MikeN]

I bought a new radiator for mine from a company that advertise on eBay. In Wales I think. Can’t remember now. They managed to fit an extra row of tubes in it to improve cooling. I have a digital temperature gauge that comes off the thermostat housing. It rarely goes over 80deg.  My owners handbook says operating temp is 73 deg.

[southernscouse]

Looked on eBay company that will do recore don’t mention extra cooling based in Herefordshire is this the one

[MikeN]

I think it was Hereford radiators. I rang them up and asked them if they could do it and they said yes.

[southernscouse]

Well finally got the new radiator fitted and with the short drives I have taken the overheating seems to have stopped

revs up instantly by my setting the mixture and ignition timing using a vacuum gauge but still kangaroos a bit when driving so changed the plug gaps from 18 thou to 20 it’s a lot better but has me thinking how large a gap I can go to considering it has electronic ignition

[PJS]

I’d consider taking the gap up to 25 thou. I believe this has been recommended for electronic ignition due to the more robust spark.

[southernscouse]

Thanks for that I will give it ago

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