[Zmagnette] Timing

Thu Feb 6 15:43:30 MST 2014

Petronix or any electronic ignition system works better than the mechanical (points & condenser) system, no doubt about it. Lots of dyno test results and engine hour tests to back that up. So why do my cars still have points?

Because I travel cross-country, and with points I don't have to pack a backup distributor assembly, just an extra set of points & a condenser. Which I've had to use, before, too. Twice. In forty years.

Mike

________________________________
 From: Allen Bachelder <bachldrs at comcast.net>
To: List for the Z Magnette Group - North America <zmagnette at autox.team.net> 
Sent: Thursday, February 6, 2014 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Zmagnette] Timing

I too vote heavily in favor of Schlemmerizing. I'm using Pertronics also. But if your timing is wondering it could be a sign of a loose timing chanson. Check your dizzy for sticking  vacuum &/or centrifugal advances first (easier fix!). 

Worn/wobbling dizzy spindle bush will cause it to run crappy all the time. Resetting the timing wouldn't help. 

FWIW. 
Allen

Sent from my iPhone
Spring Creek Home for Wayward MGs
Allen Bachelder, prop. 

On Feb 6, 2014, at 2:36 PM, Rodger Shaver <gopherdad at aol.com> wrote:

I have Schlemmerized distributors (advanceddistributors.com) with Pertronix in five MGs. No problems so far. I do carry points in case of catastrophic failure on the road. Rodger
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Google Apps Email <steve at betterwitnesses.com>
>To: List for the Z Magnette Group - North America <zmagnette at autox.team.net>
>Sent: Thu, Feb 6, 2014 12:32 pm
>Subject: Re: [Zmagnette] Timing
>
>
>Schlemmerized dizzies are way better than Pertronix any day...
>
>
>Points you can fix on the road, Pertronix you can't.
>
>Steve H
>
>On Feb 6, 2014, at 11:28 AM, John Perkins <zamagnette at charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>Ken:
>>    I got my ZA because the guy I bought it from failed to
      diagnose a worn out distributor.  The original distributor had a
      cam that would only open the points on a couple of the lobes, the
      shaft was wobbly in the housing, the mechanical advance was rusty
      and would not operate smoothly, finally the vacuum advance
      diaphragm was leaking.  Your issues might be just a distributor
      that needs to be rebuilt.  Send it to Jeff Schlemmer and let him
      Schlemmerize it for you.  He's done two for me with excellent
      results.
>>    John Perkins
>>
>>On 2/6/2014 12:59 PM, Ken Beisser wrote:
>>
>>Thanks all, I appreciate all the advice.  
>>>I drive the car about 10 miles a day so that's less than 1000
          miles in 4 months.
>>>
>>>
>>>I'll look at the distributor parts again.
>>>The parts ie cap/points/plugs/condenser/wiring are pretty new
          but there's obviously something wrong.
>>>
>>>The distributor is original on a rebuilt engine.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>The electronic distributor is appealing, but it sounds like it may not be my problem right now.
>>>
>>>
>>>Ken B
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>On Thu, Feb 6, 2014 at 7:01 AM, Steven Trovato <strovato at optonline.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>You can argue the merits of points vs electronic ignition all you want.  Fact is, what Wombat said is correct.  The way most of us use our cars, it is not normal to require timing adjustment every 4 months.  The rule I remember from when all cars had points and carburetors, was to do a full tune up every 10K miles, and a "minor" tune up every 5K miles.  The full tune up was plugs, points, condenser, adjust timing, dwell and carb mixture.  Maybe replace the rotor and cap.  The minor tune up was to basically do the same stuff, but without replacing any parts.  You would just clean and readjust what was there, unless something looked really terrible.  This was not an MG thing, these were just the rules I learned for typical American cars of the day.  In my experience, timing did not change a lot. As Wombat said, wear at the points may require adjustment over time.  Timing on my Magnette stays pretty stable.  This is with 1500 engine and
 original points setup.  If the distributor is tightened so that you can't turn the body with your hand, then that's not the problem.  Overtightening just causes more problems.  I would take a look at the points.  If they are secure, I would look at their condition.  Poor quality parts might wear faster.  Also, a bad condenser can cause the points to wear faster.  
>>>>
>>>>-Steve T. 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>At 08:52 AM 2/6/2014, charles durning wrote:
>>>>
>>>>X2 on getting rid of the points.  
>>>>>
>>>>>I know, I know the purists will poo poo the change to
                  electronic
                  ignition.  I say let them keep their points.
>>>>>
>>>>> 
>>>>>Charlie Durning
>>>>> 
>>>>>If you are using Google or Gmail, Big Brother is watching.
>>>>> 
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>On Thu, Feb 6, 2014 at 5:01 AM, Wayne & Isabel
                  Hardy
                  <gwhardy at suddenlink.net > wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>No t normal!! Should stay as set for years literally, if tightened up properly at the pinch neck bolt.
>>>>>
>>>>>Slight wear at the points may require a very small adjustment over time, but only if driven enough to cause the points to erode... A lot of driving usually.
>>>>>
>>>>>Wombat 
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>>>
>>>
>>>
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