Electronic ignition static timing.

I'm in the process of upgrading my stock ignition on my 73 cj with 258 from points. The question I have is, what's the proceedure for setting static timing with the new distributor? Does it still give an indication like the points do when they open, as you move the pickup past the rotor? I looked in my Haynes manual, and unless I missed it, found only setting the timing with the engine running. Thought maybe I could get the answer before I get to that point. Thanks

 

If I understand the question right you should be able to use the rotor buton and make sure it is pointing towards the number 1 cylinder on the distributor with the crank rotated to top dead center.

Brian

 

Yes, that would get me close enough to start the engine. I was just trying to find out if you can get a generated signal from the distributor, with the engine not running, that you would get with a meter across the points from the old system. With points, I would connect a meter from the wire to the coil and ground ,then move the dist. housing one way or the other until the points opened. If the crank mark was previously aligned with the desired degree advance mark, the the points opening would give the exact timing that you had selected. Just wondering if there is a way to get a signal from the electronic distributor that would duplicate the points set-up, when doing a static adjustment. Thanks

 

I don't think there's any way to do it. I believe the electronic pickup must be moving relative to whatever causes the field to change. For some, there's a toothed wheel that moves through a magnetic field and changes the field strength by perturbing the field lines, others may use a moving magnet and a field coil. I don't know the specifics, but I'm pretty sure you aren't going to generate a detectable signal without something moving in a field, either electric or magnetic.

I'm familiar with the static timing for points ignition - I used to tune my VW with a light bulb on two clip leads. Light goes off, points are closed, timing is set.

 

The way I times it ...turn crank to compession on 1 cly, line up the timing marks together then put the spark plug wire about 1/4" away from a good ground and then turn the key on...turn the dist in the oppsite way the rotor turn then turn back quickly it will spark. You might have to do it several times and go back and forward when it spark but it will work. I done it lot times . You should be will in 5 dergee of top dead center.

 

Thanks for the response Cookieman. That's what I was looking for! I'll give that a shot when I get to that point. I'm doing a complete re-assemble/modify to my 73 CJ, so it'll take me some time. I had to replace the rusted out frame, so I'm making the changes as it goes back together. Thanks again