Page 1 of 2

Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 1:35 pm
by Gene Gillam
I've tried two different timing lights (one was an induction type, the other was a clip-on) with my TC and neither worked. What could cause this? Low output from the coil not causing the light to fire or did I just try two bum timing lights? Gene Gillam Saucier, MS 1949 MG TC

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 2:31 pm
by Dean Jensen
Gene Did you try it on another car? Any car you should be able to get it to work. The area you are trying to use it in, is there a lot of light there? I am assuming that the TC is running, how about sticking a screwdriver in the wire end of the spark plug boot, and hold the metal of the screwdriver near the engine, do you get a spark (engine running). Guess need to know if there is a spark on the cylinder that you are using it on. Dean -----Original Message----- From: Gene Gillam [mailto:anngene@bellsouth.net] Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:31 PM To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: [mg-tabc] Timing Lights I've tried two different timing lights (one was an induction type, the other was a clip-on) with my TC and neither worked. What could cause this? Low output from the coil not causing the light to fire or did I just try two bum timing lights? Gene Gillam Saucier, MS 1949 MG TC Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 3:40 pm
by Tombutlercpa@cs.com
I've used the sears timing light with no problem. I replaced my coil when it seemed to run to hot to touch. I used the Lucas sports coil sold by Moss. I believe the correct dynamic timing setting is 5 degrees advanced at 1000 rpm. There is a chart available which shows the timing curve for the TC. Interesting information when using a timing light.

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 4:21 pm
by Gene Gillam
Dean (and others), The car is running fine - I just wanted to try to use the light to set it to the 5 degree BTDC mark. I tried all combinations of connections - and all were to the battery posts - not to any other connections. I was in my garage so there wasn't too much outside lighting masking the flash. Shrug - I don't know??? Gene
----- Original Message ----- From: "Dean Jensen" djensen@accessus.net> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 2:30 PM Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] Timing Lights > Gene > Did you try it on another car? Any car you should be able to get it to > work. The area you are trying to use it in, is there a lot of light > there? I am assuming that the TC is running, how about sticking a > screwdriver in the wire end of the spark plug boot, and hold the metal > of the screwdriver near the engine, do you get a spark (engine running). > Guess need to know if there is a spark on the cylinder that you are > using it on. > > Dean > > -----Original Message----- > From: Gene Gillam [mailto:anngene@bellsouth.net] > Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:31 PM > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [mg-tabc] Timing Lights > > I've tried two different timing lights (one was an induction type, the > other was a clip-on) with my TC and neither worked. What could cause > this? Low output from the coil not causing the light to fire or did I > just try two bum timing lights? > > Gene Gillam > Saucier, MS > 1949 MG TC > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.312 / Virus Database: 173 - Release Date: 12/31/2001

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 4:36 pm
by Skip Kelsey
At 06:40 PM 1/3/02 -0500, Tombutlercpa@cs.com wrote:
>I believe the correct dynamic timing setting is 5 degrees advanced at 1000 >rpm. There is a chart available which shows the timing curve for the TC.
Tom: Set your timing at approx. 5 degrees advanced statically. Dont rely on a timing light. You will be very retarded at 1000 RPM/5 degrees. Use a statice light or buzzer to set this. Trust me on this one. Skip Kelsey...............................................

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 5:12 pm
by Tombutlercpa@cs.com
I don't mean to doubt Skip's advice on timing and intend to try it, but I thought the spec was 0 degrees static. What's up?

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2002 7:44 pm
by Chip Old
On Thu, 3 Jan 2002 Tombutlercpa@cs.com wrote:
> I don't mean to doubt Skip's advice on timing and intend to try it, > but I thought the spec was 0 degrees static.
The original specification was 0 degress, but that was necessary to prevent knocking with the ultra-low octane fuel available immediately post-war. With modern fuel, even modern low-octane fuel, the engine can stand more advanced timing. -- Chip Old 1948 M.G. TC TC6710 XPAG7430 NEMGTR #2271 Cub Hill, Maryland 1962 Triumph TR4 CT3154LO CT3479E fold@bcpl.net

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 6:17 am
by rkegg465@cs.com
Chip, What timing setting would you suggest for a TC? Thanks, Randy In a message dated 1/3/02 10:44:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, fold@bcpl.net writes:
> On Thu, 3 Jan 2002 Tombutlercpa@cs.com wrote: > > > I don't mean to doubt Skip's advice on timing and intend to try it, > > but I thought the spec was 0 degrees static. > > The original specification was 0 degress, but that was necessary to > prevent knocking with the ultra-low octane fuel available immediately > post-war. With modern fuel, even modern low-octane fuel, the engine can > stand more advanced timing. > > -- > Chip Old 1948 M.G. TC TC6710 XPAG7430 NEMGTR #2271 > Cub Hill, Maryland 1962 Triumph TR4 CT3154LO CT3479E > fold@bcpl.net >

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 8:56 am
by Chip Old
On Fri, 4 Jan 2002 rkegg465@cs.com wrote:
> Chip, > What timing setting would you suggest for a TC?
5 degrees advance measured statically is a good starting point for most XPAG engines. You can then experiment a few degrees at a time to see what amount of advance works best with your engine configuration. If you don't feel like experimenting, set it to 5 degrees and forget it. -- Chip Old 1948 M.G. TC TC6710 XPAG7430 NEMGTR #2271 Cub Hill, Maryland 1962 Triumph TR4 CT3154LO CT3479E fold@bcpl.net

Re: Timing Lights

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2002 9:14 am
by Skip Kelsey
Tom: The original spec was 0 degrees. But with the advent of better fuel, the 5 degree spec is much better. The original specs were for 72 octane fuel. Skip.................................................... At 08:12 PM 1/3/02 -0500, Tombutlercpa@cs.com wrote:
I don't mean to doubt Skip's advice on timing and intend to try it, but I thought the spec was 0 degrees static. What's up?