Base timing

[PJR-Elan]

Hi all,

I’ve followed the Wiki and done the base timing. I made two changes to the process to make it easier -

- I didn’t remove the wheel, but just lifted that side of the car a little and laid on a skeleton
- I used a spare car battery to power the timing light.

I have some doubts about what I have achieved. I put the car in service mode but the change in engine note wasn’t dramatic. I.e. it’s wasn’t obvious that anything much had changed. When I adjusted the timing, to get 16btdc I have used up most of the travel on the CAS adjuster. That seems odd to me. Should I be worried?

The revs were higher as a result of advancing the unit and the apparent base timing moved from 9-10 degrees to circa 16. Still in service mode, I changed the idle air corrector screw until the idle was at 950 or thereabouts. The car drives better with a bit less popping from the exhaust, but there is still some.

Related to the above, before I did the timing I removed the idle air control valve and the Pintle was clean, but there was no gasket or o ring. The pintle didn’t move much - am I to assume that the steeper motor won’t allow it to be moved by hand? Or was it jammed?
I cleaned it, lubricated it and put it back with a gasket, but I’m suspicious that it is jammed. New one is on order but out of interest I’d just like to know what it should be like!

Ive not heard back from Geoff re getting an Elanscan - can’t wait to get one as I guess all this guesswork should disappear!

Many thanks,

Phil

[Simon_P]

To check the IAC valve operation - Pull off one of the small vacuum hoses on the back of the plenum. The revs might rise momentarily but should drop back to 950. Put it back on and it should stay at 950.

[PJR-Elan]

Great tip, thank you.

Phil