distributor settings!

[lightweight-love]

How do people set there distributor to spark at the right time? i think iv got mine overheating the spark plugs, so firing early? which way do i twist the distributor round to fire the sparkers later?
Thanks in advance Guys

[Canada Al]

timing marks are on the pulley on the front of the crank . use chalk or tippex to make them easyer to see . Use a timing light  to see them when the engine is running . Dont forget to disconect the vacuum advance .

OR

set the timing and get the engine hot ,  drive it hard up a hill in top gear . if the engine Pinks then the timing is advanced and you need to turn the distributor back . If the engine does not pink then advance the timing and go again . repeat this untill it is as advanced as it can be without pinking . You can check the direction by watching the direction the rotor arm moves when the engine is cranked over . retard is to move the distributor in the direction of rotation . advance is opposite the direction of rotation .
Only move the distributor in small increments , say , 1/8 inch at a time . And mark your start point so you can always go back to it .

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Or if you've got an early one, the timing marks are visible behind a plate on the flywheel housing (right hand) and are a real pain to view.....

[MisterC]

The dizzy rotates anti-clockwise, so to retard, i.e. make it spark later, turn it anti-clockwise, to advance it (will pink if too far), turn clockwise.  I've always found setting the engine to top dead centre on No. 1 cylinder is the best starting point.  TDC is indicated by the notch on the pulley lining up with the largest point on the timing pointer.  The timing pointer does vary in design and some have more points than others.  You can tell when it's on No.1 cylinder as the rotor arm on the dizzy will point to the position on the distributor that corresponds to the lead that goes to No.1 spark plug.  This is at (roughly) 2 o'clock, when viewing the dizzy from above (looking side on to the engine).  Running on 95 octane standard unleaded, I've found (through experimentation) that just after after top dead centre seems to be the best spot.  So,  remove dizzy cap, remove vacuum pipe, slacken dizzy pinch bolt, turn engine until No 1. cyl is at TDC, check that points are just beginning to open on dizzy.  If they aren't turn the dizzy, so that they are, tighten pinch bolt.  You now have a starting point.  Run it for a few days, then adjust in small increments either anti-clockwise, or clockwise until happy.  With the amount of wear in older land rover engines, doing it by ear and hand is probably the only way.  Oh and the timing marks aren't always accurate.

[lightweight-love]

Awesome cheers for advice guys-will give her a few tweaks when have time.
The spark plugs showed signs of over-heating, if this was due to dizzy positioning would it suggest they were firing too early?

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

or the mixture is too weak - will also cause pinking

[tomarse]

The spark plugs showed signs of over-heating, if this was due to dizzy positioning would it suggest they were firing too early?

Too much advance in my car makes the plugs overheat. It also pinked when at maximum advance - so coasting down hills when the vacuum capsule on my dissy was doing the most it could.

[TEMPL4R]

...or you have the wrong grade plugs in. The centre electrode could be too long and you need colder plugs.

Chris

[Robbo]

Daisy has just started pinking and almost missing when driving under say 3/4 load and def up a incline...maybe this is my problem as well....but haven't got a clue what to look at or what for!

Just to muddy the water - have recently just started my 3rd tank of reg unleaded instead of super.....

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

lower octane = less resistance to pinking.....

[Robbo]

lower octane = less resistance to pinking.....

ahh now that I do understand. :oops:

[lightweight-love]

also going into winter colder start-ups and colder air has more 'energy' so can affect air/fuel ratio, have my girl timed well now but got charging problems to deal with now! You gotta love classics eh!