Strobe

[Seamus]

Bought an accuspark (with adjustable advance) to time my MG. The Suzuki 350 was timed using a dti as the timing marks are notoriously innaccurate. 500 four , came all set up, but will check the timing with my strobe. Electronic ignition fitted to that though.
Recommend the strobe for what it is worth though

[Erny]

Strobe is great tool for fine tuning, but you need to have one that works with your sohc..
I bouth this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111945334787

It works on idle and up to 1500rpm than light does not flash and it does not show rpms.. Even in separate battery... Not issue with unit, I get new one from seller as replacement. The same bahaviour.

But works fine on my old car even with higher rpms

My procedure:
1. Manual adjustment (with bulb or led)
2. Using dwell meter fine tune gaps to be the same for both points
3. Fine tune by strobe
4. Recheck dwell
5. Recheck timing with strobe
Repeate in loop 4-5 until is ok. Takes time but pays off but great idle and smooth run!

[Rob62]

That accuspark looks ok and I certainly dont want to be spending much more than forty quid...I was looking at this one
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/gunson-g4113-timestrobe-xenon-timing-light/

[TrickyMicky]

Y'know, if like me you're really brave, (or bloody stupid!!), you could try the following:- remove plugs so engine is easy to turn over, insert cigarette paper in between points, pull on paper until it feels like it's about to tear, then VERY slowly turn engine over whilst watching timing marks until you feel a slight release of grip on the paper which signifies the moment the points are just starting to open, and that's the point at which to set the 'F' mark. Not very scientific I know, but I've got away with using this method from 1967 on Hondas ranging from 90cc to 750cc, and I've got away with it so far!

[Erny]

Y'know, if like me you're really brave, (or bloody stupid!!), you could try the following:- remove plugs so engine is easy to turn over, insert cigarette paper in between points, pull on paper until it feels like it's about to tear, then VERY slowly turn engine over whilst watching timing marks until you feel a slight release of grip on the paper which signifies the moment the points are just starting to open, and that's the point at which to set the 'F' mark. Not very scientific I know, but I've got away with using this method from 1967 on Hondas ranging from 90cc to 750cc, and I've got away with it so far!

this is legacy method I used on all 2-stroke jawa's in 80's (those powered by generator only, thus no battery available). I had only one problem that time (woould have even now) - I'm not smoking, so I have no cigarette papper, even no lighter! 

[Bryanj]

Same tissue paper method for Lucas mags on old Brit bikes

[Erny]

That accuspark looks ok and I certainly dont want to be spending much more than forty quid...I was looking at this one
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/gunson-g4113-timestrobe-xenon-timing-light/

Be careful, as I wrote, that Accuspark does not work on RPMs higher than apprx 1500. So no way to check if you advancer behaves properly...
I would not buy it again...

[Rob62]

Thanks Erny...I think i may plum for the gunsons....if i do i will report on its suitability

[Erny]

Great, if it will work in higher RPM I'll but it too (till full #@%$ will take place fully and we'll need to pay VAT+customs fee)

[Lobo]

Hi K2...understood (I think) what you’re saying, but still unsure how a (eg) 16 thou points gap (set at static peak cam) will subsequently deviate from base setting. Bryan answered as I figured... ie slop in rotating the back plate, but given this is how Honda expect you to alter the timing, is the resulting small variation in pre-set points gap (due the slop) not allowed for?

As an aside, and a nerdy question, I further like the strobe coz you can check the Advance / Retard working correctly. My question is... would it not be better to set the timing at 3000+ rpm, between the fully Advanced marks... ie where the engine spends its useful life?

The bottom line I guess, is it’s a 1970s very mechanical set up, and whether ya use cig paper, 12v lamps... whatever... it’ll basically work fine. Horses for courses?

[bobv7]

"The bottom line I guess, is it’s a 1970s very mechanical set up, and whether ya use cig paper, 12v lamps... whatever... it’ll basically work fine. Horses for courses?"

How true, and unless you've just had a total rebuild and blueprinted the engine, when you take into consideration the age and possible condition of all the components involved in the power train, the absolute accuracy of the ignition timing probably has at best a maginal effect on efficiency. The same could be said for the argument over tyre choice and tyre pressures when considering the accuracy and age of the various type of gauges available.

[Rob62]

A good point Lobo and Bob...the points gap is something like 0.014” to 0.018” which is a fair old target and anywhere in that range was good enough..

I used to use tissue paper myself when i was a skint teenager, never seemed to cause any problems... my biggest niggle back then was the screw heads constantly chewing up due to the use of incorrect screwdrivers, back then i put it down to shitty japanese metal, how wrong i was as that shitty japanese metal is still in my garage giving me great service 40 odd years later 😄

[Bryanj]

Gap should be 0.35mm or 14-16 thou, guess what-----unless you buy an expensive set you dont get a 15 thou!!

[10tenmen]

Get one from the correct period lol, it works really well.