Static Ignition Timing Issue

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70spider
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Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:05 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat spider
Location: N.E. New Mexico

Static Ignition Timing Issue

Post by 70spider »

I have a bit of a problem. I had to change the exhaust cam tower due to an oil leak from the old tower not matching up with the new head. So, after replacing it I can not seem to get the timing set @ TDC. I either end up 5 degrees BTDC or 5 degrees after TDC. I have tried over 30 times and still don't get it. One approach is to follow the book setting the crank pulley at 10 degree BTDC installing the belt and when the slack is taken up the crank should move to TDC however the crank either moves only 5 degrees or doesn't move at all. Another approach is I hold the crank at TDC , install the belt but it moves to 5 degrees past, I've tried setting the crank at 5 degrees BTDC but the crank moves to 5 degrees past TDC.
As you can see frustration is beginning to set in. I was wondering if getting adjustable cam pulleys would help? If so how do you use them?
1970 Fiat Spider 124 Sport aka "Pesto"
2002 Mazda Protege5
2013 Buddy 170i
bobplyler
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Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Static Ignition Timing Issue

Post by bobplyler »

I'm not sure what you are referring to.

Are you adjusting the cam belt/pullys to change the static ignition timing?
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
User avatar
70spider
Posts: 681
Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:05 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Fiat spider
Location: N.E. New Mexico

Re: Static Ignition Timing Issue

Post by 70spider »

I am referring to the setting the initial timing when you have rebuilt or in my case replaced a cam tower. When you align the cam pulleys up to the pointers, the aux cam pulley at 1 o'clock and the crank pulley at TDC, then install the belt and hope it is all lined up up after you rotate the crank 620 degrees or the cam pulleys 360 degrees. My issue comes after the rotating the system everything is not as it should be. So I will keep trying, I have successfully done this about 8 times. Getting it correct this time is being a bit precocious, as is most things with "Pesto".
1970 Fiat Spider 124 Sport aka "Pesto"
2002 Mazda Protege5
2013 Buddy 170i
bobplyler
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 830
Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2010 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider 2000
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Static Ignition Timing Issue

Post by bobplyler »

Just to make sure I understand.

If you align the cam pullys, the aux pully and the crank pully, you can set the static ignition timing by rotating the distributor.
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
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