International Lancia Forums

fellow lanciisti I need your help.
How do you set the initial timing of the ignition when a breaker point replacement like Pertronix Ignitor is used? With breaker points a testlamp can be used which lights up when the points open. But without points this method does not work.

I have to add that the distributor has been removed completely for installation of the pertronix and no reference at were it was.

There's no reason to remove the distributor to install a Pertronix module, any more than you'd remove the entire distributor to simply change the points. And I don't understand why you would ever remove a distributor without marking its original position.

But once you've done that, the only thing I can think of is to put the points back in and re-index the distributor. Then just remove the points and install the Pertronix module. If you really feel you must remove the distributor to install the Pertronix, make a reference mark before you remove it.

Last week an 123 ignition was installed on my S2 Berlina, it is running excellent!!

Viva Huib!

Yes but how do you install the distributor when you have no reference besides the rotor pointing more less towards cilinder #1 in the cap. It has to run before you can adjust the timing with a timing lamp.

William, with points ignition, you adjust the distributor so that,when the points open, the flywheel is lined up at the 8 deg BTDC mark, and the rotor is pointing at #1 distributor cap contact. Points opening is indicated by a 12V lamp going out when connected between the points and battery plus.

The catch is that you also need to ensure that the #1 cylinder is the one that is ready to fire ... that is, both intake and exhaust valves are closed. You can do this by removing the cam cover and observing the position of the rockers. Alternatively, if you have compressed air and a suitable fixture, you can check that the #1 cylinder can be pressurized via the spark plug hole.

That's for points.

For the Pertronix, I believe that the ignition fires off when the lobe of the distributor is closest to the pickup unit. But I've never actually set up a Pertronix, so this information could be suspect. Otherwise, as Ed suggests, you can set it up with points, then install the Pertronix, and do final tuning with a timing light. (Not the 12V setup described above, but a timing strobe driven from the spark plug wires.

Hope this is helpful.

Peter

As Peter says, turn the crankshaft to the point at which number one cylinder should be firing. Then, position the distributor, with Pertronix installed, about where you would expect it to be when you've finished the job, i.e. where it was before. Look at pics of other engines to confirm if necessary. Make sure the rotor arm contact is pointing at cylinder number one. If it isn't, lift the distributor out, turn the shaft and refit until you're happy. Fit the high tension lead to the coil but place the lead's other end close to, but not touching, an earthing point. Leave the distributor cap off.

Now turn the distributor about an eighth of a turn clockwise. Next, turn on the ignition and turn the distributor slowly anti-clockwise until a spark jumps from the coil lead to earth. The timing is now approximately set. Tighten the distributor clamp.

Fit the cap and leads and the engine should start. You can then time it accurately with strobe, using the 8deg marker at the slowest idle you can get while the engine is cold, before the advance mechanism kicks in. It worked for me, anyway.

And I have to disagree with Ed - the Pertronix is much easier to fit with the distributor out of the car.

Good luck

John

By the way, I should point out that my electronic system was supplied by Jolley Engineering rather than by Pertronix itself or its UK agent, Aldon Automotive. But the module appears to be identical.

I have recently fitted Magnecor KV85 plug leads which made a further significant improvement. They came complete with perfect silicone-rubber replicas of the proper Fulvia plug boots.

John

I have tried your method and instead of a spark I heard a click coming from the pertronix and saw a spark jumping the terminals on the coil! (1,5inch). I descided that this was the switching point mentioned in your mail and tightened the distributor. Still no running engine...

John Simister wrote:
>
> > And I have to disagree with Ed - the Pertronix is much easier
> to fit with the distributor out of the car.

OK, I won't argue that point; it would be easier with the distributor out. But I'll reiterate my point that both the rotor position and the static advance should be marked before pulling the distributor for any reason--not that this advice does William any good at this point.

William, I wonder if the Pertronix sensor module is fitted correctly. I seem to recall that the instructions give two different mounting positions depending on rotor length (or some other factor).