Rick...........
If it's any consolation, one of my customers had a 73 B that was one of the
fastest stock Bs that I had driven. On one occasion, when the car was in for
service, I decided I had to find out what made it so quick. To my surprise,
the needles in the carbs were stock, the ignition system was as original
except that the timing at idle was 45 degrees btdc! It didn't ping, it idled
smoothly and it went like the clappers. Probably had something to do with it
being a low-compression engine, as other cars I've tried to "speed up" by
giving lots of advance have let me know (by severe pinging) that they don't
want anywhere near 45 degrees of advance. So, if you notice no detrimental
effects from that much advance, just enjoy it and worry about something
else!
Lawrie
British Sportscar Center
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Rick Guynn
Sent: Friday, January 22, 1999 4:16 PM
To: MG List
Subject: 45 degrees advance at idle?
Hi all,
Well I finally got around to playing with the timing on the 'B again and I
am
befuddled.
short history:
'73 'B w/'79 engine and ignition. I cleaned evrything and set the timing.
Car
would bog and backfire when 'snapping' the throttle.
Update: after trying everything I could think of (including checking the
valve
timing) I finally decided to try playing with the timing again. I advanced
and
retarded it to no avail. The I REALLY advanced it. Now to my best estimate
I
have the timing set at about 45 degrees BTDC at appx. 1000rpm. The bog is
still there a bit, but not nearly as bad and it no longer backfires. I
haven't dared
to advance it any further. I have in the past checked to make sure that the
crank pulley mark and the actual position of the the No.1 cylinder were in
sync,
and it appeared that they were. I may have to check again. There is no
noticeable signs of pinging. SO I'm stuck... any suggestions?
Thanks in advance (no pun intended),
Rick
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