Without being bashed by the purists, my father has recently installed a Pertronix ignition system in our 64 XKE. He is now having some timing issues. He is in Nebraska and I'm in California so it is hard to help him out over the phone and internet. Questions: 1) Can someone please confirm the firing order for a 3.8 XKE; 2) Confirm which cyclinder is #1; 3) How about intial timing?

The car seems to be running on after shut down.

Thank you for your help

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 20:35

Billy: Thank you for the compliment, but considering the company on this forum, I am by no means an expert....I just perhaps have too much time on my hands.

Patrick

Submitted by warthogsmcwing… on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 19:27

OK, thank you very much. That shoud help him out. He told me that he thought he had always set the timing with the #6, but then remembered/discovered that #1 was at the firewall. I think he used #1 for timing and is now having the running on problem.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 18:19

The update is a very sensible modification AND is easily undone. No 1 is in fact at the rear BUT Jag used No 6 (front) for timing purposes . 153624. It is possible thatsomeone has set it up incorrectly so it is best to find compression on No 6 then set the timing with the mark on the flywheel. This is easiestly found by removing the oil filler cap and looking at the front cam lobe, with the timing marks aligned on TDC, it should be pointing away from the engine. Timing should be about 8 deg before, but it can be modified depending on fuel grade, age of engine etc. It should have a vacuum advance make sure it works only with the throttle open, ie, not at idle.

Submitted by tvtom@sbcglobal.net on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 18:00

As you will see if you review past E-Type postings, Patrick is our overall E-Type expert but, since he has not as yet replied to your query, I'll fill in. :-)

For some unknown reason---English logic I guess---the #1 cylinder is the one at the rear of the engine next to the firewall.

According to Fig.19 of page B.28 of the Service Manual, the firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.

Page P.11 indicates that the ignition timing is as follows: On the 8 to 1 engine it's 9 deg. BTDC. On the 9 to 1 it's 10 deg. BTDC.

Good luck!