Hello All,
I'm hoping someone with much more experience then myself can help me. I tried to do a standard tune up on an 87 xjsc given to me by my uncle. Long story short I removed the distributor plate that holds the ignition pick up and failed to mark its position on the timing advance/retard indicator. I coupled haste with a lack of knowledge of this vehicle and now don't know what to do. I never removed the distributor itself. So my question is, which mark on the indicator do I set the distributor plate to before I secure it? Or will this be more involved? Thanks in advance...

 

static you want it on 10 degrees in pic, with the rotor pointing at no 1 plug lead in dizzy cap I have only ever timed by this method and am well pleased with performance. according to the book it should be around 30 at 3000 rpm if you like being under the engine at that speed

 

As well as RGP's suggestion, or if you would like a little more detail on the dizzy positioning etc etc, If you pm Grant Francis he will send you his word doc on how to time it the easy way.
Greg

 

By "distributor plate" I am assuming that small 5 notched indicator on teh front face of teh distributor casing itself.

If so, then slacken the 13mm locknut, and rotate that slotted screw so as to get you in the "middle" position. That will allow you to advance/retard the timing about 7deg when it fires up.

The fact you have NOT touched the actual lower section lockscrews, the base timing should still be as it was before you fiddled. By this I mean the actual rotor and associated star wheel are still as they were. All you have messed with is the pickup and its position with that star wheel.

Main thing here is to "slow down", have a drink", slow down some more", and think it through. It is NOT rocket science, trust me. I could set one up in about 10 minutes now, since I have done 100's over my time.