Ultimate Guide to Setting Ignition Timing (mini-specific)

[@MiniMattTV]

I’ve watched this so many times now! Still waiting on the carb tuning video 👍

[@wordreet]

Hehe, I was driving towards home about 40 years ago and the car in front of me stopped and wouldn't re-start. I could hear the lady turning it ove on the key and i had already realized the car had an issue from following it. It was an Austin 1100 and has the same A series engine as a classic Mini. So I parked up and went to her saying "I think I can get you going if you'd like." It had been popping a little bit coming down the big hill before she stopped. So she was very relieved, saying "oh my goodness can you???" My mum had the same car a short while before and I knew what to do, so I popped the "bonnet". Then I spannered the distributor pinch bolt and twisted it round about 20 degrees. When she tried that and it didn't even try to start I twisted it the other way about 30 degrees, and it started. That proved that the points had at least some gap. Then I listened to the engine as it idled, and twisted the dizzy about a little till it sounded smoothest and re-tightened the pinch bolt. I recomended that the lady got it checked over as the timing wasn't optimized. The lady was very grateful and gave me two packs of cigarrettes. I mentioned that I didn't smoke, but my old man did. So it was all good and off she went. It's always great to help out if you can. :¬)

[@monicaantonucci6904]

NIce story. Cheers

[@alexzavarro9769]

We need that Carb tuning vid!!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Alex Zavarro working on it! 😎

[@vggupta95]

@@Stevestonmotorco is the video ready yet?

[@matto4563]

When is the carb tuning video out?

[@paulhotson5820]

Inlet cam timing will vary depending on your engine and if you have high or low compression, as each engine has different profiles. Also distributors have different timing curves so one fits all is not the case here. Any engine wants a maximum of about 32 ~34 degrees advance at high RPM. You can find where your timing does not advance any further (should be around 3000 or 3500 RPM, and then set it to 32 at that point. Then, return to idle and measure what that is, for future reference. If you want to get fancy, after the above step, then on a rolling road dynamometer, you can identify the ideal advance at each RPM between idle and WOT, and then have a custom curve matching that made for you (by Advanced Distributors), or using a 321 Distributor find a near match among the curves provided with it. Thanks for sharing

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Excellent tidbits and points. Thanks.

[@MrDevchi]

Really well done 👍 very educational and loved your creative way to set max advance if you don’t have a more expensive timing light that allows you to do this without placing the 2nd “gold” mark on the pulley 😀

[@AM-cz4fd]

This is the best timing video I've ever watched. Very helpful, super educational. Very easy to follow as a first timer. Thanks!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnbuttle1975]

Excellent explanation I've been repairing and driving minis for 40 years very well done from a British mini fan

[@Stevestonmotorco]

We'll take the compliment. Thanks :)

[@patrickmcbrearty2621]

Timing how to starts at 15:00

[@moodrootman]

Hey guys, thanks so much for this super informative and detailed video - you always help and inspire me to do thing myself... Just adjusted the ignition on my 73 Mk3 yesterday, however, found out that I did not have the timing marks on the pulley/timing cover... Bit puzzled, but cross-referenced with the Haynes Manual and found out that pre 76 models have the timing marks under the flywheel cover, accessible through an inspection cover... It's kinda quirky as you wheel need a mirror to see the timing marks... However - Sure you guys are aware of this, but would be worth mentioning if you ever did an edit of this video!

[@lindarudd907]

What a great video- I now understand the theory behind it and can have a go myself.

[@Tasteslikepetrol]

Great videos. Love your style, and very easy to understand instructions and explanations. Thanks!

[@mcgaag]

Setting the max advance timing is something i never heard of but makes perfect sense. I’m a hobby mechanic so maybe it’s common practice among the pro’s ;). Did this to my mini and it runs better than ever. 👍

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Great!!!

[@rowtheboat2]

Thanks for the detailed video. I'd be keen to see another similar caliber video about tuning the SU with relation to timing, if you could? I've just changed to electronic ignition in my Triumph TR3 (changed the base plate from points to magnetic trigger) after my condenser failed after only 60miles. I'm keen for less trouble / maintenance with electronic ignition. I am having difficulty with getting the tune setup though. It was fine with points before the condenser failed (baseline ~15dbtdc). Now with the electronic ignition, the engine doesn't idle nicely at the baseline timing. It's fine at about 20dbtdc as a baseline, but this brings my max advance to about 40dbtdc which I'm not very keen on running with. Even at that setup I found that it was pinging on a test drive. I have high compression ration, fast road cam, ported head, manifolds matched, oversized valves, large bore, etc. and am just running it in so I'm not too keen to load it up excessively, or have it running poorly. Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[@Ribeirasacra]

After years of amature mechanics I never heard about setting the higher timing settings. Have a few MGBs with non vacuum advanced dizzies.With the right engine and electronic ing. They are just great. Now I have a 6 cyl Austin Westminster I need to find the max-vac (so to speak) for the dizzy. You have forgotten to say that with a mini it is advisable to purchase electronic ignition because to adjust the points you have to remove the chrome grill. My sister one had a van an no grill could be removed! Hope you do twin carb set up as well as a single carb set up video. I am watching this whilst the world cup is on TV.

[@DavidUKesb]

Very informative although I'm slightly confused.....if the vacuum advance is disconnected during these tests then once it's reconnected wouldn't that be giving you more than 32 degrees advance? Thanks

[@alancombe6083]

Just get the dizzy graphed to those specs then you don’t have to go through all that work which believe me is excessive You will also need to know your cam lift on both inlet and exhaust

[@carlbickerstaff5229]

Brilliant video, can I ask during this test what gas octane where you using?

[@BP-hc6mr]

This is a great video and of course everything from SMCO is amazing. I don’t understand the adjustment of the distributor cap. You mention is 7/16 wrench to adjust but my cap is screwed on in three places…

[@windyboy78]

Hey thanks for the great video! Learnt lots as usual! Big fan here in New Zealand!

[@steveng.4049]

I love this content, I know like nothing from engines and one of our Mini's is not starting anymore after removing the distributor. I guess I have to set the timing but how can I do this when the car is not able to run? Thanks in advance and keep the content coming!

[@peterho3408]

Best and most informative video ever!! Good job!

[@bloodreighn]

I think you may have just solved my ign issue on my mini, ive been running bp5es on my electronic ign and its been breaking up and missing and not accelerating ans just the worst to deal with, your recommendation of bpr6es made me remember the time my friend had the same issue as im having ;D

[@Stevestonmotorco]

That's awesome! We've run into that problem ourselves. Non-insulated plugs don't seem to play nicely with electronic ignition.

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

Beautiful car. Nice maintenance, Steve. Thumbs up.

[@raulsimoes3049]

Excellent explanation! Congratulations!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks. We try to be thorough!

[@janetashkenazy7443]

Hi Steve. I'm one of your subscribers. my husband and I have a Mini 1995/6

[@cybermini]

great video, i just have a question, if i have a modified camshaft, can I apply this video? thanks and regards from Chile

[@lawrencegatt4515]

Spot ON mate great job from Australia 🇦🇺

[@MattBee1]

When I first got a mini, I didn't have a feeler gauge and my dad who is a bit of a car expert recommended using a bit of breakfast cereal box for the points to use in place of a 15 thou feeler gauge - and it worked. But I now have a couple sets of feeler gauges...

[@samdavies7312]

Hi I have a 1300 Spi factory spec engine with a cam shaft from a carby model and running a SU single carb . Would setting the timing as per this video work ok ? Currently I have the timing at Idle set via gun at 8 degrees BTDC

[@adriendewalque2371]

Great video! I have auto ignition on my mini 1340 with shaped camshaft. It continues running 5 seconds after turning off. Do you have any advice on how to set ghe timing?

[@jasonlee3577]

Hey guys, thankyou very much for this very informative tutorial!

[@tinacox3140]

When setting total timeing is the vaccume advance re connected to the distributor????

[@lawrencegatt4515]

Great job mate well done 👍 from Australia 🇦🇺 😍🏁

[@garethparry1766]

Is the carb tuning video available? Thanks for this, been looking for a good vid for a while now

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Great content and videos I was womdering and need a bit of your vast knowledge. I want to take out my distributor and there is a way of setting up the timing marks so I can eaily put it back in without messing up the timming. I have a mini Mayfair 1,000 1985

[@TheM00ch]

Very helpful! Love your mini content 🇬🇧🙌🏽

[@timmyis18]

Do you have the vacuum reconnected for the high rpm timing setting ?

[@acdc42691]

Great video, but there are different timings for different engines! My 998cc engine needs fewer degrees BTDC than a 1275 engine. Always check the manuals for your engine/distributor.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Absolutely. I believe the video covers that. Thanks for adding that though

[@Kieren.5]

On the 4k rev timing do u still blank off the vacuum line?

[@jaspersmith2544]

Brilliant work. Super helpful.

[@josha4751]

Hi I know it's an old video but is it best to set the timeing then air fule

[@juanfurno]

Hey! great video!, just writing to ask you a tech question regarding timing. As the MED Aluminium timing cover doesnt have timing marks on it, how a timing light must be used when the MED set up is installed? Thanks!

[@dumplingspeedshop]

Hi Guys, made everything as you told and engine started working better but now it is not stop for some seconds after turning off ignition. It starts to stop properly only if to put setting to stock 10 degrees. By the way engine is 1098 with 229 Piper cam, big valve head, intake, exhaust and so on. Seems instructions for tuned engines must be a little bit different?

[@1BCamden]

massive cred sighting David Vizzard

[@Eathanevl]

Very helpfull i will be using what i have learned soon :) What rev counter is that ?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Smiths

[@Kyle-id8xo]

Always enjoy your videos, in my opinion you are one of the best when it comes to making technical mini videos. I like the look of the temperature guage on your binnacle, who manufacturers it?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Appreciate the comment. The temp gauge and oil pressure gauge are both by Stack.

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

Should this apply to other BMC A engine cars like mg midget?

[@mtb_landin]

Great video.. love how you make the videos and how you explain things.. and super with the last bonus tip.. :)

[@julielelong2724]

I wish you were based in New Zealand, Waikato, North island to be precise. We, well and my 1981 MK4 mini needs your expertise.

[@yoshinoyajones8924]

R u running 25d or 45d? I want to use a 25d with vacuum advance for the exterior advance adjuster. I have an hif44 and pertronix with no vac now. Im just trying to get a lil more mpg.

[@Ja27205]

Any recommendations for an alternate to the BP6ES spark plug? Maybe another brand? I can’t find them anywhere and NGK website says they have been discontinued.

[@lucky7kustoms563]

Excellent video as always

[@TornadoCAN99]

Why is it necessary to time the ignition without the vacuum advance operating, assuming car is able to start ok? Why not just go straight to the fully advanced timing step with engine at higher rpm? Seems any low rpm/non-advanced setting you make is then immediately changed when doing fully advanced???

[@1maXxi1]

Hi there, My mini isn't idling very well and I recently noticed that my Vacuum line is connected to the distributor only and wrapped around the dipstick! you had mentioned that it goes to the intake manifold but couldn't really tell where exactly, any way you could send me a picture of where it goes?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Hamada Agha it should go anywhere that has vacuum, ideally manifold vacuum but depending on the car it could also have ported vacuum. There should be a nipple either on the intake manifold or on the carb right before it meets the manifold. If it’s there any not connected you would have a vacuum leak which is not good. If you do have it and it’s blocked off, re connect your distributor as a vacuum advance will always make a better running street engine.

[@1maXxi1]

Stevestonmotorco thaks for the reply. I will have to do some more investigation this week end and try to find where to hook it. FYI: It’s a 1991 Rover Mini with the MK1 carb.

[@TornadoCAN99]

Fuel Octane rating will also affect pinging susceptibility....Higher octane resists pre-ignition better so for this demo you may want to use a low octane fuel. Safety tip: Not a great idea to be wearing a hoodie with dangling laces when leaning into the engine bay...that spinning fan would make short work of them!

[@gtirstyper]

Nice comprehensive video! Can someone identify the music used at 4:26 ? Thanks

[@aaronsacks09]

My 61 doesn’t have this comb or dots on the crank pulley but it has a viewing window on the clutch side? No what?

[@RobinTheMini]

Sorry, 850 Minis use the BP5ES sparks BP6ES is from 998 onwards

[@mephiskapheles6]

Any tips on setting timing on a supercharged engine?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

mephiskapheles6 more boost needs less timing. It's too complicated a subject for a short comment, so I suggest doing some forum reading. You could look at options like an msd box that pulls timing back as air pressure builds, or even a standalone.

[@jamesgardner6394]

Same procedure if you only have the little window on the other end. My car doesn't have marks on the pulley.

[@dub944]

Can this be done with an spi mini?

[@dub944]

Sorry just saw the part about not needing to worry about advance with spi 👍

[@petergordge8741]

When setting timing at 32 deg as this video shows is the vaccum hose connected

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Disconnected

[@battlebornbee]

Very informative! Love the videos!

[@alancombe6083]

Why don’t you get the dizzy graft to those specs

[@andremelker484]

Where have you bought the hood vent? Try to find one that suits å 1965Cooper S. Great channel! Love it

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Andre Melker thanks! I got the hood vent online I believe through eBay from a company that sells just louvred panels

[@andremelker484]

Stevestonmotorco Thanks!!! 😀🙏

[@leonlo4383]

Aye you adjusting the same thing as 1000rpm and 4000rpm? Or there is 2 different bodies to turn?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

The same thing 👍

[@Nickbuckel1]

When doing the raised timing with the revs at 4000, do you need the vacuum advanced disconnected

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Yes!

[@Nickbuckel1]

@@Stevestonmotorco thankyou

[@Conor.Twomey]

QQ do you use the vacuum advance when testing the 32 degrees @ 4000 rpm or should it be plugged off? Thanks.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

It should be plugged!

[@Conor.Twomey]

@@Stevestonmotorco super thanks a mill

[@paulhotson5820]

Should not matter as there will be no static vacuum at 3000/4000 rpm.

[@edwinlens4954]

Do you also have a video About ajusting a Carb?, much thnxs grom Holland

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Working on it for this season

[@darrenclark1531]

Only thing I get is a spark show when trying to connect the positive clip to the starter solenoid! Scares the shit outta me!

[@freedomsrt8]

What's a good a electric ignition for an 1987 mini 998?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

There are several good options. I will insert a shameless plug that we carry Accuspark electronic ignitions on our website. However, there are other good options such as (not limited to) Pertronix and Calverst.

[@zaamirrazi8705]

Make it running perfectly

[@grahamrowland6681]

Nice explanation

[@rameshprimal4872]

..I'm a Sri Lankan technician. Can you tell me a way to contact you? It will be very important to me ..

[@h20leon]

Very helpful indeed 👍

[@shriramvenu]

Why can't we use a BP5ES spark plug instead? and whats the benefit to using the R series? My car uses electronic ignition

[@Stevestonmotorco]

shriramvenu you could however they are not in the right heat range for even a standard spec engine. The R stands for resistor and means they will have less electromagnetic interference for your electronic ignition as well as radio and other electronic equipment

[@paulhotson5820]

Tried both no difference in interference.

[@aleddavies770]

How can you set rpm if you don't have an rpm gauge?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

You can buy/rent mechanic style rpm gauges that temporarily clip to the negative post of the coil for signal.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

If you have the timing light then you can also set max advance by ear and just rev it as high as you need to until it stops advancing. Then set idle according to what feels good.

[@MikeWilliams-vp7jb]

Will this work on MPi mini's?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Mike Williams mpi and spi mini’s have non adjustable ignition timing, so after checking the cap, rotor, leads and plugs you are all set!

[@MikeWilliams-vp7jb]

Stevestonmotorco nice one, thanks :)

[@WilliamJSisti]

Did you zap yourself at around 17:50?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

William J Sisti hahaha good catch but no, a bee was chasing me 🐝

[@JoeSmith-zv4ic]

pretty sure it's not possible to cross threat whilst undoing a bolt/plug.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Joe Smith you are correct, it’s more so to be able to tell if a previous person who worked on it had cross threaded it when installing the plug. Just an easy step in good work practice.

[@monicaantonucci6904]

your hood laces hanging above the rotating pulley; totally unsafe; watch out lads!!! Nice video tough

[@I-T-S-M-E]

Careful of your hoodie toggles getting caught in the fanbelt!!

[@joshuavanvelzen965]

I would like to discuss my MG with you

[@MiniMattTV]

Very interesting, I’ve only heard of setting the timing at idle. I guess you could’ve gone straight to checking at 4K rpm

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Mini Matt TV You could. But advisable to check timing at idle as well to make sure it's acceptable.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

You also want to know what base timing is at idle so that it's easy to dial back or add a couple degrees for micro adjustments later (you wouldn't have to spin up the engine to 4k every time)

[@philippreen2807]

Please don’t wear that hoody with the strings hanging down each side, just waiting for these to be tangled into the revolving engine fan or fanbelt! Great videos by the way.

[@reecewilliams4912]

Spark plugs have single start threads, so you can turn it backwards all day, it will always start at the same place. So turning it "180 degrees backwards" literally does nothing. It will start at the same place EVERY time. If you want a thread to engage every 180 degrees, it needs to be a 2 start thread. If you want the thread to engage every 90 degrees, it needs to be a 4 start thread. And so on and so on.

[@theglengineer]

This!! I was wondering if anyone else noticed this! Should edit this out of the video because it hurts your otherwise credible speaking style.

[@alexanderbogander2671]

It sounded higher than 900rpm to me… great video though!

[@trevwyatt9329]

my word _ beshjs has watched alot of the vids it seems . strange type of hater ?

[@GTE_Channel]

Auto subtitles keep saying APPLAUSE when the engine revs 😅

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Hahaha! Maybe it's not a mistake? 😝

[@RWayne-nu2fi]

Hoodie ....... hilarious.

[@oldmatebutler]

👍🏼🏎💨

[@beshjs408]

your engine sounds like a hedgehog forcing out a fart

[@henrietn]

I think you gave about 10 comments on this video alone, so you must have some beef with the guy/channel. First of all, this video is excellend with a good explanation for beginners. Second, I'm not seeing any videos on your channel.... Giving criticism is always easy, making informative movies is another thing. You must be a fun guy...

[@beshjs408]

THE HOOD IS DOWN BOYS

[@johnbuttle1975]

Why dont you just shut up !

[@beshjs408]

Haha you put the mic in the engine bay at 17:30, rookie mistake lads

[@beshjs408]

Got your hood up inside in case the rain gets through the roof.

[@beshjs408]

does this man ever relieve his hood?

[@beshjs408]

Tightens spark plugs with a ratchet but wheel nuts with a torque wrench HMM

[@beshjs408]

6:10 Could*

[@beshjs408]

We don't need a montage with trap music every time you do a timeskip. Especially not for something as mundane as widening spark plug gaps.

[@beshjs408]

SPANNER not wrench

[@beshjs408]

Why not just put your camera on a tripod. We arent on a boat boys.