Today I changed the distributor on the TR6 from a Powerspark (simonbbc) back to the original Lucas 22D6 and lumenition electronic ignition.
I followed the correct procedure, setting cylinder 1 at TDC noting the rotor position pointing to cylinder 1 lead on the dizzy (approx 7pm) removed the distributor and fitted the Lucas in the same position. hooked up the wiring for the coil and electronic ignition and the 6 started first time albeit a little lumpy.
I then stuck on the timing light but no way can I get the timing right, in fact I think I'm making it worse...
I've rechecked everthing 50 times at this stage and I don't know what I'm doing wrong or what else to do..
Any help or advice would be really appreciated.
Cheers
John.
Replies
John . I remove number one plug and put a long screw driver into cylinder. Turn engine over by hand until number 1 piston is at tdc. Then mark front pulley at pointer with white paint or similar. Once tdc has been identified and marked you can set timing with strobe light. Mine runs fine at 14 degrees before tdc. Yours might differ slightly.
Hi John, well I guess the good news is that the car started so the timing can't be too bad! When you say it's wrong and you can't get it right, I don't entirely understand what you mean, could you elaborate? If you rotate the distributor anti and clockwise does the timing advance and retard? That's the nub of this initially, the actual position of the timing marks on the pulley on those cars can be really off,on those old 6s with a 50 year old dynamic balancer the marks can be well off. I know there is going to be an argument on here now but the timing light is of limited use here imo, if rotating the distributor advances and restards the timing (your ear or the light is going to tell you that) then everything is working mechanically and static timing is right in that it runs. Then tune it by ear until you are relatively happy with how it starts and runs, then for final tune road test it, get to to just pink under load and then come back a few degrees. I don't recall at this minute but is the position of number 1 at 7 o clock? Some of the other lads who have done this more recently will confirm perhaps as I don't recall off the top of my head but I have 10.00 in my head. I know it's basic but it's worth checking the firing order is correct on the leads too, it would run but be lumpy and not respond properly to timing adjustment. I'm on the road today but I'll have a look at the detail like that later.
Niall
Thanks for the reply Niall.
I actually solved the problem, a little bit embarrasssing but here goes...
At the club meeting yesterday I was chatting with Guru Luke Fenner and describing the problems I was having, when i said that the timing marks appeared to be at least 45 degrees out, as I could see this on the timing light, Luke suggested that maybe the leads were in the wrong firing order on the distributor or in the wrong orientation on the dizzy, I knew the leads were in the correct firing order 1,5,3,6,2,4 as I'd checked them a thousand times but the wrong orientation was definitely plausible as it can be a bit confusing when changing them over from the old dizzy.
Sure enough when I got home from the meeting straight out to the garage set TDC on the pulley (again) and checked the rotor arm position in relation to lead one (again) twisted the distributor body clockwise to a more natural position and not bending the rev counter cable, now the rotor was not pointing to lead one but more like lead five, moved all the leads one position anti clockwise on the cap so the rotor now pointing to lead one again and fired the car up, started straight away with virtually no choke and was sounding pretty good, stuck the timing light on and the timing marks were now showing on the strobe. did a little bit of fine adjustment tightened up the dizzy clamp and went out for a spin..
Running so much better, lots of power, idling nicely and sounding great.. I'm sure the new Sytec fuel pump and diaphragm PRV I fitted is also helping a lot too..
It was a rookie mistake on my part but proves again that getting another persons input and ideas is absolutely invaluable, I would have invariably went around in circles for the next while and maybe eventually figured it out... who knows !!
Thanks Luke you saved me a lot of stressful and frustating evenings staring into a TR6 engine 👍👍👍👍
'Every day is a school day'
John.
Super, well done🙂