Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Engine keeps on running!!!

I also popped the timing light on her. What I saw was this, the little dot on the flywheel was just (about five mm's) anticlockwise of the thingy with lots of pointy bits on it. This was at tick-over of just under 1000rpm.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

There are timing marks - you may need to clean the block to see them....

The trouble is the ignition timing's going to depend to some extent on the state of tune of the engine so the timing marks might not be too much help. I'd be inclined to advance it until it pinks, back it off until it doesn't, and then see where you are against the timing marks. When checking it don't forget to disconnect the vacuum advance, if fitted.

Static timing from memory is 8 degrees on that engine. And at a low idle, that's what the timing light will say too. Probably 10 degrees by 1000 rpm.

The marks on the block are 0, 4, 8, 12 degrees BTDC when aligned with the hopefully correct TDC mark on the pulley.

Set static, and use the timing light to confirm the distributor is advancing the timing, I think to 34 degrees for a standard distributor. Also confirm there is no timing wobble which is usually indicative of the bearings in the distributor being worn out. Cheap timing lights which aren't bright enough and don't allow one to measure advance are not worth bothering with.

But as I said before - bung in a new set of BP7ES and go for a thrash - commonly known as an Italian tune up.

That's the problem. I'd pull the number one plug, get the piston to TDC on the compression stroke, and then look where the pulley mark aligns to. I've known the marks to be a couple of degrees out.

Thanks chaps. I bunged in the new plugs and she was horrid. Then I put the wires on the right plugs and she was lovely (don't have this problem with parallel twin bikes). Then just I reversed out of the garage the heavens opened, so the test run will be tomorrow. I will do the timing with my mechanic so I have an idea what is going on.
I understand the timing mark pointy thing now you have explained it. I thought it would be the other way round like on a Laverda flywheel. It looks very sensible and non Italian.

After the experience of one of our Stores persons, I'd avoid Terraclean or anything along those lines...

What happened, Graham?

Put cable ties on the plug leads, 1 tie for number 1, 2 for two etc. Can be made very smart and saves a lot of bother!

Not sure if the Laverda is, but the Ford Kent is very oversquare. If you need to check the TDC mark, the old fashioned method of feeling a piston through a plug hole with a pencil won't work as the piston appears to float at TDC.

But, find a nut that fits the pencil and check for something like 20 degrees before TDC - mark the pulley and then go for the same after TDC and all you have to do is bisect the marks.

Of course you could press a dial gauge into service but us Mog folk delight in doing things with everyday objects and proving you don't need fancy kit if you understand the whys and wherefores.

The only technical thing needed to time a magneto ignition three wheeler is a dress makers measuring tape - I kid you not!

It didn't help the running of his diesel X-type...
A couple of days after the Terraclean he found the oil level in the sump rising - seals on the hi pressure fuel pump (OK, a not unknown problem, but it was OK leading up to the Terraclean) so fuel now getting into the sump.

I just don't trust these supposed 'miracle' cures... If this is supposed to remove the gradual build up of combustion material that material still has to go somewhere - if it breaks up then expect damage to valves and valve gear, &c. particularly the way they rev. an unloaded engine...