Ignition timing

julian.jay · Post by **julian.jay** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:19 pm

Where should the timing be set on a Rover V8 (late P6).
Timing light shows at 3 degrees BTDC is this OK.
Julian

bodger · Post by **bodger** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:43 pm

it varies very much on what type of engine you have , it can vary by compression ratio , by carbs or EFI and so on ..mine is set somewhere between 10 and 12 degrees BTDC
but thats on gas
between 6 and 10 is normal

Post by **Coops** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:50 pm

if im correct all rovers are 6 degrees BTDC
except efi which are 8 degrees BTDC

roofman · Post by **roofman** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:52 pm

ime running a 3.5 on a rangie and got mine set to just before it starts to "pink" which happens to be 8 degrees which is efi btw

v8alex · Post by **v8alex** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:43 pm

My 3.5L RV8 with Carb is set at 6 deg BTDC. Alex

RoverP6B · Post by **RoverP6B** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:05 am

The original engine in my 1974 P6B had a 10.5:1 CR, so I had to time it at TDC @600rpm.

Later P6Bs if I am correct ran a 9.25:1 CR, so depending on the octane rating of the fuel, you could probably run it upto 6 degrees BTDC @ 600rpm.

You can advance it a little at a time, test it and see if it pings. When it does, back it off a degree or two and test again.

Ron.

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:45 am

It is not the static timing that matters, as it is merely a base point to get the motor started. You really want to set the timing at full advance, and live with what you get at idle, or modify the dizzy to get it correct at both ends. I found my dizzy needed grinding to get 34 degrees full advance whilst still retaining about 8 at idle. Even then I adjusted it to get max advance without pinking, so I have (had. I've sold the car now) no idea what the timing actually is.