Hi folks

A little advice to a novice mechanic here please so don't use any long words.

I'm trying to determine the static timing for the distributor on the pulley for ignition timing. There's an arrow on the engine casing. Should there be a mark on the pulley and if so, is it firing or TDC?

(I will have help so you use some long words if you need to.)

Tim

Hi Tim,

Have a look here - might help.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/226412-help-setting-ignition-timing-fiat-500-f.html

Chris

Great, thanks Chris.

Hi Tim;
Just to remind you that you CANNOT set up the timing of a distributor with electronic ignition in it statically--you HAVE to use a timing light. If you are going to use the 'Hall effect' ignition I gave you, set the timing up with the points still in the distributor, note where the rotor-arm is pointing, mark (with tip-pex or similar) where the distributor sits, pull out the distributor and fit the electronic ignition. Refit the distributor to match its previous fitment, attach a timing light, start engine and check timing. It sounds a tedious procedure, but in reality you're talking of under an hours work. If you get stuck, give me a shout--please remember the time difference!

Hi Tom

Yes and thank you. Hadn't forgotten. The plan is to set up the car with the original points set up first, otherwise there are too many variables to contend with. But the electronic ignition will go in at some point soon.

Tim

I have read all the excellent posts on timing but I'm still not getting it right and the engine chirps more than a big back fire. I used my timing light and can set the advance on the light to 28 and the mark on the wheel aligns with the arrow at high rpm's. Any idea why it still chirps?

Nick Striker said:

I have read all the excellent posts on timing but I'm still not getting it right and the engine chirps more than a big back fire. I used my timing light and can set the advance on the light to 28 and the mark on the wheel aligns with the arrow at high rpm's. Any idea why it still chirps?

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Are you certain that you have the correct ignition leads connected to the right plugs?

Yes, with rotor pointing to #1 ` cylinder (rear) lead goes to that spark plug. Just curious because my Haynes manual says advance should be 18 (from TDC I assume) but I have found posts here that suggest 28. Maybe the problem is in there. It runs well, just makes these little hick-up chirps.

Nick Striker said:

Yes, with rotor pointing to #1 ` cylinder (rear) lead goes to that spark plug. Just curious because my Haynes manual says advance should be 18 (from TDC I assume) but I have found posts here that suggest 28. Maybe the problem is in there. It runs well, just makes these little hick-up chirps.

Click to expand...

Hi Nick, I was stumped by that discrepancy a few years ago and my thoughts and rantings span many posts on this Forum. The Haynes has got it wrong and the 18 should be added to the 10 degrees, which is where 28 comes from. Try it...it should help.

To confirm once and for all, and to support what Peter has said, the "STATIC/ at-IDLE" timing of the 500/126 engines is 10 deg BTDC. The TOTAL advance, at about 3,000rpm is 28 deg BTDC.
You can only check the timing statically (with a simple test-lamp) when you have 'points' ignition---if you have electronic ignition you HAVE to use a timing-light. The timing at idle will still be 10 deg BTDC