I need some clarity on the proper timing for a 68 Etype with dual Stromberg carbs and 9 to 1 compression. per the manual, it says the correct timing for a Series II with twin Strombergs is 10 degrees BTDC static, 0 degrees at idle and 10 degrees BTDC at 1400 rpm. For a series 1 with triples it just states 10 degrees BTDC and I assume they mean static. I have set the timing according to the manual, i.e. rotating the engine until the rotor arm approaches the #6 cylinder (front of car) then rotating engine until 10 degrees is read on the timing marker at the bottom of the engine, then adjusting the distributor until the lamps lights up and then tightening the pinch bolt. When I do this I cant achieve the dynamic numbers (0 at idle and 10 degrees at 1400rpm). Am I missing anything?

Submitted by ksphillips@pro… on Sun, 08/30/2009 - 21:38

Thanks Curt. I must have hit the submit twice cuz I have two differenct threads going on the same topic. I took Dave Barnes advice and set it to 10 deg BTDC at 1000rpm and it is running much better. I also have the pertonix ignition. Now on to a rear suspension rebuild!

Submitted by wcjssj@comcast.net on Mon, 08/03/2009 - 02:07

Edited on 2009-08-03 2:14:02

Hi Kirk

Yes, they mean static. When the timing was underneath the car, people rarely did dynamic, because it could be dangerous to use a timing light on a running engine in that inconvenient position.

Everything has play in it and must be rotated in its running direction. I assume that at the end of your static timing you checked everything by rotating the engine so the light came on at 10 deg before you rotated past TDC. Worked for me, but I never checked idle and 1400rpm dynamically. If that is really wrong, then maybe the advance on your distributor doesnt work.

How does the car actually run at various rpms?

good luck

Curt

PS I have a Pertronix unit and static timing works fine, altho I use the ohm setting on my multimeter rater than a lite.