timing with electronic ignition

[rrranch]

I have been searching for the procedure and haven't had any luck. The kit in my boat came from here and it looks like new advance springs in it too so I doubt the timing spec is the same as before. Or is it? Is the procedure for timing them any different?

[Dave Neptune]

Timing

rranch, The timing is set the same way, via power timing or seeking the elusive TDC on the A-4 and making marks to use a lite. T Hatch has a good one set up on his beastie at the accy' drive.
The tension on the springs in the kit a bit differant to maintain the same approximate advance curve. It is changed as there is a slight differance in friction as the electronc ignitions do not place any drag on the dist. shaft since there is no shoe running on the dist cam.
I have set mine via the power timing a few times in 25 years with an electronic ign on my beastie. However it does require a bit of experience to get it right. I grew up working on various duty type engines and spent quite a while working on dynos with all sorts of engines and did lots of power timing.
The best thing is that once it is set with an electronic it is set until you need to move it for maintenance or tinkering purposes, whereas the timing with points is constantly changing as the shoe and contact wear.

Dave Neptune

[rrranch]

I wish mine was points. I figured them out a long time ago. I even have a nice sun machine O scope here for diagnosing them. It only works with HEI electronics though.
I don't trust the previous owner that put mine in. The timing is suspect to me so I'll go try to power set it and then make some marks for the light.

[hanleyclifford]

The timing setting with electronic ignition should be no different than with points ignition - TDC. The major difference with EI is the higher dwell specification which is OK but does impose a greater need for care respecting voltage at coil +.