Hello my name is Harry from the Netherlands. I'm the owner of a Jaguar Xj6 3.4 liter series 2 from 1975. I have a distributor with contact points. Could anyone here on the forum help me with the timing. How can I adjust the timing and what is the timing for this model. Hopefully somebody give me some extra information.

 

There should be a timing pointer fixed on the front lower timing cover and degree markings on the pulley. For these old cars, there used to be timing lights or "strobes" that you fixed up to the front spark plug. The wiring with the strobe light allowed you to connect the spark plug cap to the strobe light, then the strobe had a separate ignition lead with cap to the actual plug. The better strobes took a 12 volts supply to the unit with the ignition pulse just being a trigger, but some just used the electricity in the pulse to light up the strobe light. If the ignition is slightly out, the distributor is rotated to adjust it. The trick is to unclamp sufficiently to allow rotation but not enough for the distributor to move on its own.

What the advance degrees are I don't know, but somebody on here should know. The markings on the pulley will probably need filling with a bit of white paint so you can see the mark when the strobe light illuminates it. I actually have a strobe light here in my garage.I haven't used it in years !

 

Fraser has got it.

That pointer is JUST visible when leaning over the LH fender, and looking very carefully down through the gap above the A/C compressor.

White paint is the ONLY way to spot the marks, AND the pointer.

I have always set them at 10deg BTDC (Before Top Dead Centre) static. Then fractional movements of the distributor once running and warmed up.

Turning the distributor body clockwise (looking down on top of the cap) advances the timing, and Anti-clockwise retards the timing.

Remember #1 cylinder is at the back of this engine.

WARNING:

When rotating this engine to set the static timing, NEVER rotate it backwards. If you go past the marks, go around again, and pay attention.
NORMAL rotation of the engine is CLOCKWISE as looking at the front of the engine.

When you have a break, please do an Intro in teh New Members Area.

 

I haven't dealt with the idle control valve yet but the misfire turned out to be the crank sensor & it's now running great. Thanks all for your advice.