Timing

[Galwaylotus]

Ok. Silly questions but it isn't obvious to me.

How do you see the timing marks on an Elan? Do you need to remove the bonnet completely? Also, where do you connect the timing light? As it's positive earth, I assume I connect the red clamp to earth and the black to . . . where? All suggestions welcome!

[Frank Howard]

Connect the black clamp to the starter solenoid where it is attached to the long thick wire from the battery.

You can see the timing marks without removing the bonnet. Look near the dipstick. Good luck.

By the way, are you related to O'Bama?

[Foxie]

Ok. Silly questions but it isn't obvious to me.

How do you see the timing marks on an Elan? Do you need to remove the bonnet completely?

You can see the notch on the front pulley and the degree marks on the front cover from the dipstick side. It helps if you paint a white sector on the pulley with one edge on the notch. As a Plus 2 owner I'm not sure, but doesn't the Just 2 Elan bonnet just lift out ?

Also, where do you connect the timing light? As it's positive earth, I assume I connect the red clamp to earth and the black to . . . where? All suggestions welcome!

Are you putting a 12v lamp in series with the points for a manual check, or are you connecting power to a strobe light for a running check ?

BTW, will you be in Kirkistown for the Lotus meet next Sunday ?

As Frankk asked are you an O'Bama or an O'Malley

Sean Murray

[Galwaylotus]

As a Plus 2 owner I'm not sure, but doesn't the Just 2 Elan bonnet just lift out ?

Are you putting a 12v lamp in series with the points for a manual check, or are you connecting power to a strobe light for a running check ?

BTW, will you be in Kirkistown for the Lotus meet next Sunday ?

As Frankk asked are you an O'Bama or an O'Malley

Sean Murray

In order:
The Elan bonnet does lift out once you disconnect the spring.
I'm planning to use my inductive strobe timing light. I want to see where the timing is now before I pull the distributor to replace parts.
i think it's unlikely I'll be able to make Kirkistown next week. Will probably be trying to get the Elan back together after rebuilding the ignition!
I'm apolitical.

[Foxie]

I'm planning to use my inductive strobe timing light. I want to see where the timing is now before I pull the distributor to replace parts.

You should do a static check while your at it.

I found it's difficult to get a good strobe reading with the rad in the way. You might think of removing the rad and re-connecting it outside the car with some hose for the timing checks. And you can paint and mark the pulley.

Sean

[billwill]

I've always found it a pig of a job to see the timing marks. Next time I'm thinking of putting an extension on the top hose and unbolting the radiator and then tilting it forward out of the way.

But I've not tried this technique yet.

I think a really powerful strobe flash, instead of a weedy one will help a lot.

[Galwaylotus]

You should do a static check while your at it.

I found it's difficult to get a good strobe reading with the rad in the way. You might think of removing the rad and re-connecting it outside the car with some hose for the timing checks. And you can paint and mark the pulley.

Sean

Good suggestion about the static check. I'll rig up a 12V bulb, some leads, and crocodile clips.
The other suggestion seems a bit radical - as in OTT!!!