How to Timing up a mini

Tools needed

• Timing light (timing strobe/Stroboscope)
• 7/16" spanner
• 1/2" spanner
• +  screwdriver

Basic Understanding of engines and combustion

In order for the engine to run efficiently it is essentual for the spark made by the spark plug to ignite the petrol and air mixture in the cylinder. this spark should occur at BTDC (Before Top Dead Centre), when the piston gets to the top of the compression stroke.

with the spark at BTDC and the piston moving to TDC (Top Dead Centre the petrol and air ignite and with a bang it forces the piston back down the cylinder to give you the power that your after.

Injection Minis

This can only be checked via an ECU remap. chips and moving the Crankshaft sencer

it is recommended that the ECU remap while on a rolling road is the best setup for an engine,

I have successfully advanced/retarded my timing in the past by the  the crankshaft sencer as it was bolted on a bracket on the fanbelt sideof the a-series engine.

Carburettor Minis

ashuming all parts are in working order.

your firing order is 1, 3, 4, 2  with number 1 being the radiator end!!!! so cross the engine it goes.. 4 3 2 1.

the distributor points must be in good condition and the HT leads arranged to look like a square, with the top right pointing towards the 1st spark plug.

that what i call "base set up" somewhere to start especially if you have just overhauled the engine and don't know where everything goes.

at this point you should be able to start your mini engine and get it running.

that is ashuming you have done everything esle correct. and all parts work.

Warnings

• do no take off any HT leads when the engine is running. as you will get a shock from it,
  
  i done it several times myself. and actually  sware im getting used to it,
  
  but if you have to mess with it with the engine running to check for miss-fires stand away from the body of the car and use insulated pliers.

now that its running turn it off again and connect up the timing light.

1- red wire to the starter wire connection

2- Black wire to the body or what i do is a head bolt

3- put the clamp round the first cylinder HT lead.

turn on the engine and when you press the trigger on the timing light there will be a strobe effect. this is the light you need to see where the timing marks are.

MORE To Come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!