Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all, I was wondering if there is a way to check the ignition timing on my Electra x. From time to time I am getting a bit of pinking when pulling up hills etc. I would like to cure this but it seems that the only way is trial and error and pulling the primary drive side apart to change the woodruff key. I was wondering if there was an easier way
Cheers Dave

Sympathise re the Electra timing adjustment Davie, always seemed to be a real backward step design wise..

Ok on something like a lawn mower
Before fiddling about, maybe try a tank of higher octane fuel, Shell is good..

I found the super market fuel made my iron lung sound like a black smiths shop on hills..

Whereas the slower burn of the higher octane seems much quieter so long as i don't lug it in too high a gear.

Gwilly,
It could have been so simple if the numnutters had mounted the pulse coil on the inner primary then it could have been run and slight adjustment made by moving the pulse coil and it could have been checked with a timing light but once again another Indian botch up

I modified mine by drilling and tapping a large hole on top of the p/chaincase above the alternator so I could strobe it. I wrote an article for RealClassic mag at the time: if you're interested, respond with your email address and I'll send you a copy. Stephen

Drill and tap the large hole already mentioned, in the top of the primary cover - with the cover removed, you can even see where it was intended to put one - and have / make an inspection plug to fit. Next do this, as I did a good number of years ago:
Once the inspection hole is drilled in the casing, you will need to use a TDC plunger in the plug hole. Set the piston as near TDC as you can at this point [full lift on the plunger], then rotate the engine backwards [bit of a pain] until the plunger drops 10mm. Mark the ignition flywheel with a line passing through the centre of the inspection hole. Repeat for 10mm drop of plunger after TDC. Next, remove the primary cover and measure between the two lines to find and mark the centre point, this will put a line for TDC at the centre of the inspection hole.
The ignition timing is quoted in the manual as 5 deg BTDC and there is no full advance figure. Mark a line for 5 deg BTDC using a degree disc to measure back from the TDC mark you already have.
The next bit involves a bit of guesswork as to whether you will pick up the full advance mark to be added next in the centre of the hole, but try a line around 30 deg BTDC. It will help if you can use scribed lines for the first two and perhaps white marker paint for TDC, red for 5 deg before and just pencil for full advance, as it may take a couple of shots at this one. Once you have a definite position for full advance, mark it permanently. Now you can check your timing by strobe and see what's going on.
The machine I tuned was firing early at 9 deg idling and full advance was only 20 deg earlier. I modified the pick up mounting holes by elongating them and filing off the dowels, so I could move it to adjust the timing, but later I replaced the TCI [CDI] with the type that has more range. I could then have the timing ranging from 5 to approx 33 deg BTDC, which eliminated any kickback on starting and gave an edge at higher engine speeds.
If you follow the above, you will at least be able to find out what yours is doing and go from there. I have pictures of the modification and might be able to get them on here. Failing that I can e-mail them to anyone wanting them. Regards, Paul. [Strangely, I offered Real Classic some info on tuning the Electra X a good few years ago, but nothing came of it].

Let's see if this takes us to a picture ...
http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50 ... r08052.jpg

Gwilly's idea of the higher octane fuel worked for me. It used to pink readily when pulling, especially when hot after say a long stint on the dual carriageway. Now you have to be seriously in the wrong gear to get any hint of it. If your going for the higher octane try and pick one without ethanol, it is still not added to some and so for the time being removes any problems associated with that. Shell I believe does have it.

Trouble is Davie you have modified your engine so that any timing info for the standard engine is probably not now applicable to yours. With no reference you might as well experiment with the offset keys retarding it until the pinking just stops, if it ever does. No point in checking the timing if you don't know what the optimum is for your set up.

Paul at 9 degrees it is no wonder they smashed sprags

Hi Norm, yes, it was over advanced for starting without any kickback. Incidentally, Stephen, I would be very interested in seeing that article in Real Classic. I posted my above description describing what I did from a cut and paste from a reply to an e-mail requesting such information from a certain gentleman a few years back. As far as I know, I was the first to do this modification, I will have a look at my work notes and check the date I did the work. Regards, Paul Henshaw.