Ray,
At 03:49 PM 2/27/96 -0500, you wrote:
>On Tue, 27 Feb 1996, Bob Hamilton wrote:
>
>> Alpiners,
>>
>> On the '53 Alpine I have there is an "I" button on the dashboard
>> that connects via a cable to an arm on the distributor to change the
>> ignition timing "on the run", and this is in addition to the regular
>> centrifugal and vacuum advances built into the distributor. The information
>> I have on these cars does not explain how this is set up or how to use it.
========Stuff deleted======
>I can just imagine Grace Kelly adjusting her timing.
>
>If this is in addition to other controls, I would assume it is an in
>cockpit version of the vernier adjust available on other british cars of
>the era. You advance it until the car "pinks" too much, then back it off
>a bit. If you had this car in an area where gas quality varied from stop
>to stop, this would be very handy. "Whoa! Got a bad batch back there,
>better back off on the timing a bit."
Yes, there is also the vernier adjustment on the distributor as well,
which enables a very fine tuning when using the strobe light.
>For it to work this way, however, you would want the timing to be at
>specs at idle with the control in its mid range; this would let you
>advance or retard from normal. As it is now, you can only advance, which
>won't help if you get low octane gas.
That is true, I can only advance it as it is set now. To set it half
way out is not a bad idea but means the knob is part way out all the time to
be at the initial strobe setting and then I would be sort of guessing at
this setting +/- 2 deg. Would this be critical? Gas mileage, burning valves,
etc.?
>Reminds me of my model A. Centrifugal advance? Ha! Vacuum advance?
>Ha! Don't need those when you have a nice lever right there on the
>steering column.
I had a 1931 Tudor Model A, and as you say the spark advance was
on the column. One was throttle and the other, spark. I think the spark was
on the right, windshield wiper position now.
====================================================
Robert (Bob) A. C. Hamilton, Waverley, Nova Scotia, Canada
E-Mail: rhamilto(at)fox.nstn.ca
Home 902-861-3277 Computer & Fax: 902-861-1361
"Uncertified" Sunbeam Talbot Specialist!
1953 Alpine MK I, 1954 90MK IIA Drophead Coupe & Saloon
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