Timing Lights

[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

[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/

[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.

[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

[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...............................................

[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?

[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

[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 >

[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

[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?