[Roadsters] Distributor timing

[Graeme Suckling]

On 9/05/2011 6:42 AM, Larry Braddock wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have been playing with my ignition timing on my 66 roadster.
>
> There appear to be 2 ways to adjust it. There is a small bolt under the
> distributor plate that when loosened allows the distributor to be turned, and
> there is a screw on top of the distributor plate that when loosened also
> allows the distributor to be turned.
>
> It seems redundant that there would be 2 places to adjust the timing, so I'm
> wondering if there's something I don't know about this.
>
> There is no mention of these in my manual.
>
> Larry B
> ________________________________________
> Datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $16.00
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/datsun-roadsters/graemes@internode.on.net
There is a very good reason why there are two adjustments.
Since I can't remember it I'll give this explanation instead;-)
Assuming the dist. drive is set up correctly with the jack/cam shaft gear: -
Set the top adjustment on "0" or midway between the A and R stampings.
Now set the bottom adjustment so the points are just opening at exactly 
TDC for #1 on the firing stroke.
Now you can use the graduations on the top adjuster to vary the timing + 
or -10deg relative to TDC.
Similarly, if you use the bottom adjuster to lock the dist. at say 10deg 
BTDC then the graduations on the top plate will vary the timing Advance 
10deg to Retard 10deg,
relative to the initial 10deg BTDC.
In summary, once you know where the bottom adjuster has locked the 
timing, you can use the graduated plate to vary the timing from the 
initial setting without using a timing light.
Have a play with it and check the adjustments with a timing light to 
gain some confidence in how accurate the graduated settings are8-)

-- 
Regards,
Graeme Suckling
1965 SP310 Datsun Sports
1971 P510 Datsun 1600
1972 PL510 Datsun 1600 LHD
1973 HS30 Datsun 240Z
1984 B120 Datsun 1200 utility
1993 ECR33 Skyline GTS25t
http://tinyurl.com/6n5aza
Adelaide
South Australia.