Engine: 164 2978cc: - Ignition timing

sainthonore · Feb 28th, 2008, 23:39

Hello, I'm going to borrow a strobe light to check the ignition timing on my 164 and retard it a bit as it pinks quite a bit. On the flywheel there is a 0 with a 10 degree mark either side of it. Standing at the front of the car and looking down at the flywheel is the 10 on the left of the 0 the usual setting?
Thanks a lot,
Simon

Mike_Brace · Feb 29th, 2008, 20:34

Unfortunately you will nevere get a 164 to run properly on unleaded with astrobe light. What you need to do is move the distributor a very small amount anticlockwise and keep doing this till the pinking stops.

Mike

john h · Mar 1st, 2008, 06:49

Or use a lead replacement addiditive/octane booster

sainthonore · Mar 2nd, 2008, 01:35

Thankyou both for your help. I've retarded the ignition timing as far as acceptable, it has improved a bit but still sounds like a tin of nails on accelleration or under load. I'm going to get some octane boost to add to the petrol as well. There's one that claims to add 20 points to the octane rating. I assume the higher the rating the better. My dad's 1968 Morris Minor has none of this trouble.

Mike_Brace · Mar 2nd, 2008, 09:56

The moggie was designed to run on a low octane fuel the old 2* whilst the 164 was designed for a high octane fuel 5*. Have you tried running it on Optimax which has a higher octane rating.

Mike

Derek UK · Mar 2nd, 2008, 10:06

"I've retarded the ignition timing as far as acceptable"
I don't how you're defining acceptable but your engine still doesn't agree with you. Try another 5 degrees or so. 1º on the dizzy is 2º of timimg. If still bad trya nother 5º. You can always move it back again. With your tank as empty as possible treat yourself to a few gallons of Shell V-Power, or whatever it's called now, and see how it goes. Castrol Valvemaster Plus is a good choice of additive as it has an octane booster. Make sure that your carbs aren't set too weak as this will make the pinking worse.

mark164esaab · Mar 21st, 2008, 15:47

Hi,

Just for reference, what should the timing be for a 164E, ive not checked mine, but I might. Over here in Canada, regular fuel is only 81 octane, a bit more combustable than water, even 'high octane' is only 87. People over here couldnt believe I used to put 99 octane in my saab from Tesco, they consider that to be recing fuel. Mine doesnt pink even on 81, might advance it a bit and see what happens, which way, ie, clockwise, anticlockwise, do I turn the dizzy to advance, retard,

Thanks

Mark

Feb 28th, 2008, 23:39	#1
sainthonore VOC member Last Online: Feb 12th, 2015 17:36 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hertfordshire	Ignition timing Hello, I'm going to borrow a strobe light to check the ignition timing on my 164 and retard it a bit as it pinks quite a bit. On the flywheel there is a 0 with a 10 degree mark either side of it. Standing at the front of the car and looking down at the flywheel is the 10 on the left of the 0 the usual setting? Thanks a lot, Simon

Feb 29th, 2008, 20:34	#2
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	Unfortunately you will nevere get a 164 to run properly on unleaded with astrobe light. What you need to do is move the distributor a very small amount anticlockwise and keep doing this till the pinking stops. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Mar 1st, 2008, 06:49	#3
john h VOC Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 13:49 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Huddersfield View Photos By: john h	Or use a lead replacement addiditive/octane booster __________________ XX

Mar 2nd, 2008, 09:56	#5
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	The moggie was designed to run on a low octane fuel the old 2* whilst the 164 was designed for a high octane fuel 5*. Have you tried running it on Optimax which has a higher octane rating. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Mar 21st, 2008, 15:47	#7
mark164esaab New Member Last Online: Oct 6th, 2008 02:18 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Huddersfield	ignition timing Hi, Just for reference, what should the timing be for a 164E, ive not checked mine, but I might. Over here in Canada, regular fuel is only 81 octane, a bit more combustable than water, even 'high octane' is only 87. People over here couldnt believe I used to put 99 octane in my saab from Tesco, they consider that to be recing fuel. Mine doesnt pink even on 81, might advance it a bit and see what happens, which way, ie, clockwise, anticlockwise, do I turn the dizzy to advance, retard, Thanks Mark

Mar 2nd, 2008, 01:35	#4
sainthonore VOC member Last Online: Feb 12th, 2015 17:36 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hertfordshire	Thankyou both for your help. I've retarded the ignition timing as far as acceptable, it has improved a bit but still sounds like a tin of nails on accelleration or under load. I'm going to get some octane boost to add to the petrol as well. There's one that claims to add 20 points to the octane rating. I assume the higher the rating the better. My dad's 1968 Morris Minor has none of this trouble.

Mar 2nd, 2008, 10:06	#6
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 14:29 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	"I've retarded the ignition timing as far as acceptable" I don't how you're defining acceptable but your engine still doesn't agree with you. Try another 5 degrees or so. 1º on the dizzy is 2º of timimg. If still bad trya nother 5º. You can always move it back again. With your tank as empty as possible treat yourself to a few gallons of Shell V-Power, or whatever it's called now, and see how it goes. Castrol Valvemaster Plus is a good choice of additive as it has an octane booster. Make sure that your carbs aren't set too weak as this will make the pinking worse.

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