Clever tips of ignition timing on serp rebuild anybody?

[daveb500]

Sorry, more questions . As part of my rebuild, I've put a new cam in and I know how important it is not to let the engine crank for too long or idle. My question therefore, is how do you get the ignition timing close enough that the engine will run from the off. Are the instructions in the LandRover manual the best way to do it?

All ideas gratefully received

[clive f]

if you have marked the dizzy position with a scriber before stripping it down, then you just be able to put it back in the exact position and fire it up, from memory 3000 + rpm for 20 minutes, (providing your actually cam timing is good as well).

[daveb500]

clive f said:

if you have marked the dizzy position with a scriber before stripping it down, then you just be able to put it back in the exact position and fire it up, from memory 3000 + rpm for 20 minutes, (providing your actually cam timing is good as well).

Yes, that would have been the ideal solution. I did mark it but obviously not well enough because now I've cleaned and painted the front cover, the mark has magically disappeared. So it's back to basics unfortunately.

[daveb500]

Quinny said:

Don't worry to much Dave...

If the engine starts and runs then get it up over 2k.

Cranking the engine, with it not starting shouldn't cause any problems..... The main problem is letting it start, and then letting it idle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9NFaaKmNZk

Thanks Quinny. So just set the engine to TDC (I'm going to check the pulley marks when I do the cam), rotar to number 1 and fingers crossed....

I'm enjoying the engine rebuild....but I'm dreading the first start (probably without reason) so I want to be 100% sure I'm doing everything by the book.

[spend]

I agree with Quinny - people can get over excited about these things. Engines will run with quite a window on the timing, you can get it running without being spot on...

How do you run for 20 mins at first start up anyway without checking for oil / water leaks anyway...? Basically just don't let it idle is my idea The perceived rules can make you so paranoid you'd never get anything done - just consider them with sense/sensibility IMHO.

ETA: main tip is make sure rotor is pointing at cyl on compression - so many get the dizzy out by 180degs... then start breaking things by changing everything..

Edited by spend on Wednesday 24th March 13:00