Timing

[Kowalski]

Anyone know how to time a 1200 aircooled bug with a pertronix ignition? I need to buy a timimg light but where to all the wires connect to and what make show I go for?

I know one wire clips to plug lead 1 but what about the others?

Any help appreciated.

[Dub-Diva]

Wait for the "oracle" (aka Lucy) to come online and you'll soon know! :laughing:

[Shamrockez]

Sorry can't help - engine's confuse the hell out of me! :o

[Kowalski]

Mine is standard (apart from the petronix) so it has a vacuum advance, just wotndering if there is a special timing lamp for this type of engine and where the wires connect to. I know that it should be timed 7.5 degrees before TDC I have just never used a strobe lamp before so need to know exactly what I am doing.

[1958 Harry]

I assume your bugs 12V? You need to connect the timing strobe to plug lead no1 (usually has a slidey cover thing on the connector to the plug) and the power leads of the timing strobe to the corresponding terminals on the battery, leave the plug lead connected to both the plug and dizzy! Ideally you also need a Tach/Dwell meter, Tach especially so you can time the engine to the correct revs, the Dwell probably wont be relevant as thats only applicable to points.

Make sure if you have a gun like mine the dial on it is set to 0 degrees, then to time it just line the timing mark on the pulley up with the joint in the crankcase ideally at the correct revs around 850-900RPM

Being a petronix I'm not sure if it needs to be timed to 7.5BTDC or something different, best to ask on VZi or check the instructions.

You can also set the timing statically without a timing strobe, basically get an old bulb, connect it to the same terminal on the coil as the wire from the Dizzy, earth the other end of the bulb to the car, rotate the engine so the timing marks line up on the pulley/crankcase, turn the ignition on and rotate the dizzy until the light just comes on, this should set it to 7.5BTDC :) To set it statically you don't have the engine running, just the ignition on!

I have a gunson strobe light, got it from Halfords for £40, I also recommend you buy a tach/dwell metre, Maplins to automotive multimeters (which do tach/dwell and everything else!) for £30.

You connect the tach/Dwell meter to the same terminal on the coil as the dizzy and the other lead earthed somewhere on the body (I use the bumper on my 1200 bug, Harry) set the Tach to 4Cyl and it'll tell you your RPM.

I hope that helps!

[Kowalski]

yep its 12v.
I don't think you can static time a car with electronic ignition but I might be wrong.

I cannot see anything less that 70 quid on Halfords website, do you have any links to ebay or anywhere?
I have a rev counter up front that I connected a few years back, although at 34bhp a callendar would probably do the job better - lol.

How many wires are on a strobe timing lamp then? Is it 3, one to the hot side of the coil, one to the other side of the coil and one to plug lead number 1? Any picturs of yours?

I know its 7.5 degress before TDC with points but now with electronic this might be different. I will ask on vzi also.
Cheers

[Ray]

there is 2 crocs clips and a clamp that goes around the lead get some tipex or white paint to mark the timing marks on the pulley

[1958 Harry]

I bought mine from the store, Frosts do the same timing gun as well :)

And as Ray said the 2 croc clips clip onto the corresponding batt terminals and the clamp goes around plug lead no 1

I have this gun :) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gunson-Advance-Xenon-Timing-Light_W0QQitemZ320204520641QQihZ011QQcategoryZ42337QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1Q QcmdZViewItem

[Kowalski]

So basically I mark the bottom pulley with some tipex at 7.5 degrees BTDC. Connect the 3 leads up. Start the engine and fire the strobe at the bottom pulley. Advance or retard the distributor until the tipex is in line with the engine block line and bob is your fathers brother. Have I missed anything?

Can I connect the croc clips to the coil or do they have to be connected to the battery? They will have to be long cables if I do.

[1958 Harry]

They have to connect to the battery, because my bugs 6V, I just use the battery from my Mini or pull the Mini up close to the back of the bug :)