[Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
This should initiate some good debate...
I've always understood that ignition timing should be set with any advance systems (vacuum diaphragm, etc.) disconnected. I tried to set up my '87 Accord that way, and I can't get anywhere near the 20-degree timing mark with the vacuum advance disonnected. Leaving the vacuum line attached, it jumps right close to the 2-degree mark and seems to run well, if missing a little "jump". Oddly enough, when I accidentally took a test drive while forgetting to reconnect the vacuum line, it seem to have a lot better pick-up when I punched the gas... Anyway, I'm looking in the shop manual... the directions say to disconnect, test, and then plug the vacuum lines, then goes on to list the proper timing settings for various engine/transmission setups, never specifying that one should reconnect the vacuum lines, and describes how to adjust the timing by twisting the distributor. So far so good... BUT... all the diagrams show the vacuum lines still attached... AND the next step tells how to check the cold-advance operation (on engines that have it), while the following step THEN tells you to disconnect the vacuum hose(s), plug them, and then check the timing with an advance meter, listing way lower advance settings than the previous chart. Example: the first chart (http://moltenimage.com/freebies/g3ac...rical/24-4.JPG) shows that the A20A2s should be anywhere from 10+/-2 to 20+/-2 degrees (depending on variant and transmission) - it doesn't specifically say the advance lines should or shouldn't be connected, but you see in an earlier step that they have been disconnected and not reconnected. Meanwhile, the subsequent step (http://moltenimage.com/freebies/g3ac...rical/24-5.JPG) says after disconnecting and plugging the hoses, all A20A2s should be 4 degrees. So what's the story? Experience indicates that timing should be checked and set to 20 degrees (there's an actual "20-degree" mark on the flywheel) WITH the main advance line connected. Old-school knowledge, however, suggests that the line should be disconnected and plugged, but when I do that, it's impossible to get anywhere near 20 degrees (and really, old-school knowledge suggests that 20 degrees BTDC is an *insane* amount of advance for ANY engine). I've seen this topic generate a lot of debate on a couple boards over which is the proper procedure... just wondering what the concensus is in these parts? --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 Tested on: 10/16/2005 8:09:48 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Matt Ion wrote:
> This should initiate some good debate... > > I've always understood that ignition timing should be set with any > advance systems (vacuum diaphragm, etc.) disconnected. I tried to set > up my '87 Accord that way, and I can't get anywhere near the 20-degree > timing mark with the vacuum advance disonnected. Leaving the vacuum > line attached, it jumps right close to the 2-degree mark and seems to > run well, if missing a little "jump". Oddly enough, when I accidentally > took a test drive while forgetting to reconnect the vacuum line, it seem > to have a lot better pick-up when I punched the gas... > > Anyway, I'm looking in the shop manual... the directions say to > disconnect, test, and then plug the vacuum lines, then goes on to list > the proper timing settings for various engine/transmission setups, never > specifying that one should reconnect the vacuum lines, and describes how > to adjust the timing by twisting the distributor. So far so good... > > BUT... all the diagrams show the vacuum lines still attached... AND the > next step tells how to check the cold-advance operation (on engines that > have it), while the following step THEN tells you to disconnect the > vacuum hose(s), plug them, and then check the timing with an advance > meter, listing way lower advance settings than the previous chart. > > Example: the first chart > (http://moltenimage.com/freebies/g3ac...rical/24-4.JPG) > shows that the A20A2s should be anywhere from 10+/-2 to 20+/-2 degrees > (depending on variant and transmission) - it doesn't specifically say > the advance lines should or shouldn't be connected, but you see in an > earlier step that they have been disconnected and not reconnected. > Meanwhile, the subsequent step > (http://moltenimage.com/freebies/g3ac...rical/24-5.JPG) > says after disconnecting and plugging the hoses, all A20A2s should be 4 > degrees. > > So what's the story? Experience indicates that timing should be checked > and set to 20 degrees (there's an actual "20-degree" mark on the > flywheel) WITH the main advance line connected. Old-school knowledge, > however, suggests that the line should be disconnected and plugged, but > when I do that, it's impossible to get anywhere near 20 degrees (and > really, old-school knowledge suggests that 20 degrees BTDC is an > *insane* amount of advance for ANY engine). matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you disconnect. end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? you've got two vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when connected, and their subsequent movement produces the correct result for that engine. it's real simple. > > I've seen this topic generate a lot of debate on a couple boards over > which is the proper procedure... just wondering what the concensus is in > these parts? > > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 > Tested on: 10/16/2005 8:09:48 AM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
jim beam wrote:
> matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you disconnect. > end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? you've got two > vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when connected, and their > subsequent movement produces the correct result for that engine. it's > real simple. The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow the steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and btw, only one is normally used, the other operates only when the engine is cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one saying for the A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on the exact variant, the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all A20A2s. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 Tested on: 10/16/2005 8:39:02 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Matt Ion wrote:
> jim beam wrote: > >> matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you >> disconnect. end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? >> you've got two vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when >> connected, and their subsequent movement produces the correct result >> for that engine. it's real simple. > > > The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow the > steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and btw, > only one is normally used, the other operates only when the engine is > cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one saying for the > A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on the exact variant, > the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all A20A2s. > which manual is that matt? |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
jim beam wrote:
> Matt Ion wrote: > >> jim beam wrote: >> >>> matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you >>> disconnect. end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? >>> you've got two vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when >>> connected, and their subsequent movement produces the correct result >>> for that engine. it's real simple. >> >> >> >> The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow >> the steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and >> btw, only one is normally used, the other operates only when the >> engine is cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one >> saying for the A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on >> the exact variant, the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all >> A20A2s. >> > which manual is that matt? The Honda factory manual. I put links to images of the manual pages in my original post, which you obviously didn't read in its entirety, since I also described the contradiction TWICE. Or, if you insist on being so ing obtuse, don't even bother. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 Tested on: 10/16/2005 2:44:53 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Matt Ion wrote:
> jim beam wrote: > >> Matt Ion wrote: >> >>> jim beam wrote: >>> >>>> matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you >>>> disconnect. end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? >>>> you've got two vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when >>>> connected, and their subsequent movement produces the correct result >>>> for that engine. it's real simple. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow >>> the steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and >>> btw, only one is normally used, the other operates only when the >>> engine is cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one >>> saying for the A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on >>> the exact variant, the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all >>> A20A2s. >>> >> which manual is that matt? > > > The Honda factory manual. I put links to images of the manual pages in > my original post, which you obviously didn't read in its entirety, since > I also described the contradiction TWICE. > > Or, if you insist on being so ing obtuse, don't even bother. > 1. for a guy that wants free advice, you're not very adept at ensuring you get it, are you? 2. if you read your manual, you'd see that it's perfectly clear on which timing is for which series engine. read it. and the section on testing the vacuum settings is not relevant to setting the timing. again, the manual is very clear. |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:Luu4f.213085$tl2.16414@pd7tw3no...
> The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow the > steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and btw, > only one is normally used, the other operates only when the engine is > cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one saying for the > A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on the exact variant, > the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all A20A2s. > The Honda factory manual. I put links to images of the manual pages in > my original post, which you obviously didn't read in its entirety, since > I also described the contradiction TWICE. > Or, if you insist on being so ing obtuse, don't even bother. A factory service manual in front of you and still can't follow the instruction? Or was it which you obviously didn't read in its entirety. Of the many Helm service manual, I've no problem setting the timing even though English is my second language. |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
jim beam wrote:
> Matt Ion wrote: > >> jim beam wrote: >> >>> Matt Ion wrote: >>> >>>> jim beam wrote: >>>> >>>>> matt, if the honda factory manual says disconnect, then you >>>>> disconnect. end of story. and who are you to judge 20 degrees? >>>>> you've got two vacuum diaphragms iirc, both affect timing when >>>>> connected, and their subsequent movement produces the correct >>>>> result for that engine. it's real simple. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow >>>> the steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and >>>> btw, only one is normally used, the other operates only when the >>>> engine is cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one >>>> saying for the A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on >>>> the exact variant, the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all >>>> A20A2s. >>>> >>> which manual is that matt? >> >> >> >> The Honda factory manual. I put links to images of the manual pages >> in my original post, which you obviously didn't read in its entirety, >> since I also described the contradiction TWICE. >> >> Or, if you insist on being so ing obtuse, don't even bother. >> > 1. for a guy that wants free advice, you're not very adept at ensuring > you get it, are you? Well so far you haven't offered any, only snide comments and retarded questions that you wouldn't have had to ask if you read the original post. > 2. if you read your manual, you'd see that it's perfectly clear on which > timing is for which series engine. read it. and the section on testing > the vacuum settings is not relevant to setting the timing. again, the > manual is very clear. Really? Step three has you removing the hoses, making sure vacuum is present, then plugging them. Step 4 has you connecting an advance tester and timing light. Step 5 then says to adjust the timing to the listed settings, which for my engine is 20 degrees BTDC, according to the chart. Nothing in there says to reconnect the hoses while checking this advance, nothing indicates that this reading is made with vacuum present. Step 6 then describes how to adjust the timing, step seven directs you to re-tighten the locking bolt and re-check the timing... and then step eight says to disconnect the outside hose (which was already disconnected in step three). Step nine further directs to disconnect and pinch off BOTH hoses that were already disconnected in step three, and then states that the timing for my engine should be four degrees BTDC. Maybe in a backward universe like yours this is "clear", but not here on Earth. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 Tested on: 10/17/2005 12:09:26 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Burt S. wrote:
> "Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:Luu4f.213085$tl2.16414@pd7tw3no... > > >>The thing is, the manual contradicts itself. If you actually follow the >>steps in order, it's got you disconnecting the hoses twice (and btw, >>only one is normally used, the other operates only when the engine is >>cold), and it's got two different advance settings, one saying for the >>A20A2 it should be 10, 15 or 20 degrees depending on the exact variant, >>the other saying it should be 4 degrees for all A20A2s. > > >>The Honda factory manual. I put links to images of the manual pages in >>my original post, which you obviously didn't read in its entirety, since >>I also described the contradiction TWICE. > > >>Or, if you insist on being so ing obtuse, don't even bother. > > > A factory service manual in front of you and still can't follow the > instruction? Or was it which you obviously didn't read in its entirety. > Of the many Helm service manual, I've no problem setting the timing > even though English is my second language. Okay... YOU follow the instruction, which tells you to disconnect and plug the vacuum hoses, THEN tells you to check that the timing is at 20 degrees, then later in the same procedure tells you AGAIN to disconnect and pinch off the SAME hoses, and check that the timing is 4 degrees. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0541-4, 10/16/2005 Tested on: 10/17/2005 1:00:12 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:hSI4f.214185$1i.85038@pd7tw2no...
Images are re-cache for dialup users here (for 1 year) http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3...cord2442on.gif http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/690...cord2455de.gif > Okay... YOU follow the instruction, which tells you to disconnect and > plug the vacuum hoses, THEN tells you to check that the timing is at 20 > degrees, then later in the same procedure tells you AGAIN to disconnect > and pinch off the SAME hoses, and check that the timing is 4 degrees. The instruction to set the timing ended on step 7. If you go past step 7 you are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. First, Jim *did not* asked an obtuse question since many of us use a variety of factory service manual for a variety of year models. For a bitter, hebetudinous guy that wants free advice I don't know why I'm answering this question. Secondly, cross-post correctly. |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Burt S. wrote:
> "Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:hSI4f.214185$1i.85038@pd7tw2no... > Images are re-cache for dialup users here (for 1 year) > http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3...cord2442on.gif > http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/690...cord2455de.gif > > >>Okay... YOU follow the instruction, which tells you to disconnect and >>plug the vacuum hoses, THEN tells you to check that the timing is at 20 >>degrees, then later in the same procedure tells you AGAIN to disconnect >>and pinch off the SAME hoses, and check that the timing is 4 degrees. > > > The instruction to set the timing ended on step 7. If you go past step 7 > you are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and > distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. Fine then. Is the timing set with the advance hose attached, or not? The procedure up to step 7 would suggest no - the hose is disconnected and plugged, and the timing set according to the chart. So you end up at 20 degrees with the hose detached. So if you go on testing, you're once again disconnected the hoses, but now the timing is supposed to read four degrees? > For a bitter, hebetudinous guy that wants free advice I don't know why > I'm answering this question. Bitter? Sure. I ask a simple question, and all I get back are two posts suggesting I'm an idiot who can't read. > Secondly, cross-post correctly. Yeah, well, that was a typo the first time so I had to repost to the second group separately. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0542-0, 10/17/2005 Tested on: 10/17/2005 11:50:03 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Burt S. wrote:
> "Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:hSI4f.214185$1i.85038@pd7tw2no... > Images are re-cache for dialup users here (for 1 year) > http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3...cord2442on.gif > http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/690...cord2455de.gif > > >>Okay... YOU follow the instruction, which tells you to disconnect and >>plug the vacuum hoses, THEN tells you to check that the timing is at 20 >>degrees, then later in the same procedure tells you AGAIN to disconnect >>and pinch off the SAME hoses, and check that the timing is 4 degrees. > > > The instruction to set the timing ended on step 7. If you go past step 7 > you are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and > distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. Fine then. Is the timing set with the advance hose attached, or not? The procedure up to step 7 would suggest no - the hose is disconnected and plugged, and the timing set according to the chart. So you end up at 20 degrees with the hose detached. So if you go on testing, you're once again disconnected the hoses, but now the timing is supposed to read four degrees? > For a bitter, hebetudinous guy that wants free advice I don't know why > I'm answering this question. Bitter? Sure. I ask a simple question, and all I get back are two posts suggesting I'm an idiot who can't read. > Secondly, cross-post correctly. Yeah, well, that was a typo the first time so I had to repost to the second group separately. --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0542-0, 10/17/2005 Tested on: 10/17/2005 11:50:03 AM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:ynS4f.218349$1i.74305@pd7tw2no...
> Fine then. Is the timing set with the advance hose attached, or not? > The procedure up to step 7 would suggest no - the hose is disconnected > and plugged, and the timing set according to the chart. So you end up > at 20 degrees with the hose detached. You obviously miss the point on step 3 that you are *not* suppose to leave the hoses unplugged. A mechanic would unplug the hoses, put his/her index finger over them and reinsert (plugged) them to their original locations in a spit second. Yes, the hoses are supposed to be attached. > So if you go on testing, you're once again disconnected the hoses, but > now the timing is supposed to read 4 degrees? You are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
"Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:ynS4f.218349$1i.74305@pd7tw2no...
> Fine then. Is the timing set with the advance hose attached, or not? > The procedure up to step 7 would suggest no - the hose is disconnected > and plugged, and the timing set according to the chart. So you end up > at 20 degrees with the hose detached. You obviously miss the point on step 3 that you are *not* suppose to leave the hoses unplugged. A mechanic would unplug the hoses, put his/her index finger over them and reinsert (plugged) them to their original locations in a spit second. Yes, the hoses are supposed to be attached. > So if you go on testing, you're once again disconnected the hoses, but > now the timing is supposed to read 4 degrees? You are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. |
Re: [Fwd: Ignition timing question...?]
Burt S. wrote:
> "Matt Ion" <soundy@moltenimage.com> wrote in message news:ynS4f.218349$1i.74305@pd7tw2no... > > >>Fine then. Is the timing set with the advance hose attached, or not? >>The procedure up to step 7 would suggest no - the hose is disconnected >>and plugged, and the timing set according to the chart. So you end up >>at 20 degrees with the hose detached. > > > You obviously miss the point on step 3 that you are *not* suppose to > leave the hoses unplugged. Which point was that? Step three says "Disconnect the vacuum hose(s) from the vacuum advance diaphragm and, while the engine idles, check each hose for vacuumand plug the hose(s)." It does NOT say "replug" or "plug in". So at best it's a typo. If that's the case, would it really have been so hard to just say, "There's a typo in the manual; you're supposed to plug the hose(s) back in."? >>So if you go on testing, you're once again disconnected the hoses, but >>now the timing is supposed to read 4 degrees? > > > You are in the section on testing the vacuum advance diaphragm and > distributor advance mechanism and is not relevant to setting the timing. That isn't specified either. The section header says "Ignition Timing Inspection and Setting". The entire procedure falls within that section. Nothing says, "These first steps are just for checking the vacuum advance, and these later steps are for setting the timing." Can we at least agree that the whole procedure is, if nothing else, unclear? So I came in here to ask a simple question, and instead of a simple, "here's how you do it" or "there's a typo there, this is what it should say" I get on by jim beam, and when I object to that, I get on by you. Have all the intelligent, HELPFUL people just gone away for the weekend, or is the full moon bringing the assholes out of the woodwork? --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 0542-0, 10/17/2005 Tested on: 10/17/2005 8:05:02 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2005 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
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