upgrading to electronic ignition

Ok, so I decided after learning how to set up the points at Techenders I would now upgrade to an electronic ignition. The thing is I am not the most knowledgeable as far as mechanics are concerned but I want to have a go. So first thing I need to ask is:

I have a Bosch ignition kit and it says in the instructions to make sure your vehicle is negative earth. Is my bay negative earth?

What other tips can you offer for this job?

I just read the instructions and I feel daunted but it didn't sound that difficult at TE!?!

 

Yes its negative Earth, pretty simple to do, just take your time and double check you have the wires correct, the only thing that can really go wrong is wiring it the wrong way around and frying the unit

 

Not the same make, but may help

 

Thanks Keith. Is it likely to alter the timing?

 

It WILL alter the timing.

 

Ok, I bought a strobe too. Is it just slight adjustments in the alignment of the whole unit until the timing is right?

 

do you know how to use a timing light?

 

depends what you mean by "whole unit".

 

What engine have you got?

 

Remember how we lined up the marks at techenders ??

A few pointers ...

Make sure the strobe light sensor is picking up on cylinder #1 and turn the whole dizzy to line up the timing marks on
tickover . I`m sure someone will be along soon with a youtube linky ....
On initital instalation ensure the distributor is located and seated properly . You shouldn`t be able to turn the center
but should be able to nudge around the body with the locknut slackened off . The vac can should be set in roughly the same position as th one you have in .You MIGHT have to move the plug leads around anti-clockwise one position
too - Can`t tell until you whip off the rockers and see when #1 is on its firing stroke ....

 

I used a timing strobe at TE but can't remember what we did to change the timing.

 

You'll have to come again then.

 

Ok no worries , not the same as mine so I won't hijack the thread on a how to. I was looking for a guide on timing dual carb engine.

 

Deffo! Loved TE and will be there again. I wanted to do the ignition before Camperjam though!

 

All I remember was turning the wheel until the White mark was at the top?!?

 

Thinking about what we did - the timing was fine so we didn't do anything to alter it. We set the points, put the dizzy back together and checked the timing which was fine.

 

You loosen the distibutor clamp until you can turn the whole distributor to change the timing. M10 socket.

 

That's cool, I can see a Skype call with @Clive Neilands coming on...

I may photograph each stage and post it up hopefully to its successful conclusion!

 

You'll need to remove the distributor to make the change, the wiring/ gromet is fiddly. To remove without totally loosing the timing, leave the clamp bolt tight, but undo the 13mm nut holding the clamp to the case and remove distributor c/w clamp.

 

I was not confident when I bought a pertronix outfit for a 2.0l so took it to a vw aircooled specialist near me and he fitted and re timed in 30 mins (£25), made a great improvement to start and run.