Offroad-Express

Hi guys,

I've only recently bought an Escudo and the engine was partially dismantled when I got it (blown head gasket). I've had it going again for a few weeks now and I thought I had set the ignition timing to 8 degrees BTDC as per Haynes manual, but in a rush must have disturbed the dizzy because it was more like 15-16 degrees. It ran fine like this, and fuel consumption was as expected.

Anyway, I have adjusted it back to 8 degrees and it hasn't made any noticable difference to power, acceleration or economy, so I was wondering what others are setting their timing to, and if there is any real advantage to be had by advancing the timing beyond 8 deg?

Better late than never! I had read through the Haynes manual when I thought my one was pinking the other year. It said that 8 degrees was the spec unless the sticker under the bonnet said different. Mine said 5 degrees which is what I adjusted it to. It all seems good, however it does go a bit flat sometimes when trying to accelerate while still cold. Unfortunately the "pinking" was still there. It turned out to be the vacuum sensing valve on the emissions gear that was operating under acceleration...

I tend to set mine by ear and then test-drive them. I gradually advance then until they only just pink under high load at low revs, then retard them just enough to stop the pinking. They vary from engine to engine but all seem to end up between 7 and 11 degrees BTDC.

lneil wrote:I tend to set mine by ear and then test-drive them. I gradually advance then until they only just pink under high load at low revs, then retard them just enough to stop the pinking. They vary from engine to engine but all seem to end up between 7 and 11 degrees BTDC.

Choice, thanks Ineil. At 8 deg there's definitely no pinking, I have decided to leave it a 8 deg considering it's done 264k and I'm not sure if it's the original donk. If so, I figure going easy on it is probably a good idea.

264k isnt bad, Mine has done 285k and whenevr off road still get's up close to or on the 7000rpm mark. Still come summer, it will be on the 300k mark and time for a rebuild and no it wont be left standard

timing wise, I have no clue honestly , but it runs fine so I wont touch it till I have too