Pete Lewis

Hi Pete,

I recall you posting something about how an owner (I have a 1200 Herald saloon) can check when the newly fitted electronic ign. spark takes place, with a 12V bulb, to set static timing.

I can't find that post - hand have read loads of other in the forum.

Could you please repeat??

With my bro', we recently fitted the Club electronic ignition. We didn't change ig timing at all and she runs OK. 

I read some elec ign units require timing adjustment for our cars, but I can't see any tech details for this.

Unlike static points timing which I used to do with a Gunson volts/points meter and/or 12V bulb, keeping it nice and easy, it seems I have to use a tachostrobe and dynamic readings with an electronic?? I think you have a tip for using more crude items (12V bulb - but clipped across which terminals, as the LT connector has gone . . . ?)

Further confusion :-

1) some fella on this forum with a GT6 was writing about retarding his ign. setting, from 10 to 13 degs BTDC or similar. Surely, that's not retarding; that's advancing??? Just a question about whether advancing or retarding really.

2) My Gunson Tachostrobe (which I fear and have never used) leaflets in the pack (from back in the day) say that with unleaded fuel the ign timing may need retarding. But of course since then, we've had changes in Ethanol content of fuel . . . so which way does the 'standard' Herald timing need to go???

She runs well enough (for 145k miles), but my gut says she's not as smooth as could be at idle or when going up the rev range.

Thoughts, please?? 

Cheers, Colin.