WARNING:- There are two dangerous processes involved in timing an engine with
a strobe-light. They are:-
1) Catching your fingers or the strobe-light cables in the rotating fan
blades.
2) High voltages exist in the ignition circuits, especially if you have
fitted electronic ignition. These voltages are not lethal, but can give you a
nasty shock, and cause you to stick your fingers in the fan blades. DO NOT TIME
AN ENGINE WITH WET HANDS! You may wish to consider removing the fan
blades.
Mark the timing marks on the front pulley and front timing cover with Tippex or
white paint . (See Figure 1 and the following table.)
Connect up the timing-light to ignition lead 1. It is connected "in
series" with the plug lead. Ignition lead 1 is the one at the front of the
engine, nearest the radiator.
Figure 1-- Ford Cortina Timing Marks
Note: In some manuals the above information is published incorrectly. The
above is CORRECT !! You are looking at the front of the engine, where the dynamo
is on the right and the oil pump is on the left.
Note: If normally run at high altitudes, static advance should be ADVANCED by
4° for every 2,000 feet above sea level, to a maximum of 10° from
the normal setting.
You must disconnect the vacuum pipe to the distributor.
Start the engine, which must be at normal running temperature. Run it at
tick-over. Point the strobe-light at the bottom pulley. Keep clear of the
fan blades! Luckily, I run my car without fan blades!
The timing marks on the front pulley should appear to be stationary. The mark
on the crankshaft pulley should be close to the timing marks on the front cover.
Loosen the distributor clamp bolt, then gently turn the distributor until you get the
correct alignment of marks.
Stop the engine and tighten the distributor clamp bolt.
Re-start engine and check again. (You might have moved the distributor when
re-tightening the clamp.)
Stop the engine and remove the timing-light. Put number one ignition lead back
to normal.
Road test the car.
Testing Mechanical Advance
To test the mechanical advance, gently increase the speed of the engine. The
timing mark should move smoothly anti-clockwise. When the throttle is closed,
the timing mark should return to the position where it lines up with the
crankshaft pulley. If the timing marks jumps suddenly, then the advance/retard
weights are sticking, stuck or the springs are weak or broken.
Testing Vacuum Advance
To test the vacuum advance/retard, re-connect the vacuum pipe and run the
engine. The timing marks should move further anti-clockwise than they did with
the vacuum disconnected. (Another way to check the vacuum is to run the engine,
then suck on the vacuum tube. Your mouth can produce enough suction to move the
advance/retard mechanism.)
Click here to return to Welcome Page
Click here to return to Data Book