Classic 3.5 EFI Timing

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redrenger89

New Member
Posts
567
Can anyone help with the timing on my RRC 3.5 EFI -1989 Petrol only ?
It's a Lucas distrbutor.

I have replaced the pickup coil and amplifier in the distributor and reset to the marks I made before removal.
The car runs OK now but I do not know the correct setting.

Any one know what it should be ?

Thank's
 
Thank you.

I had it out for a test drive but it felt as though it was misfiring, found it arcing from center of coil to the outer connections.
Traced fault to loose resistor connection, crimped now no arcing. Why would this make it arc ?

But still seems to misfire when you get above 30mph.

I don't have a timing lite so I will ask around for one.

I don't want to break it now its working again.

I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers
 
You can time it without a light.
Slacken the distributor clamp enough to be able to turn the dizzy body, start the engine and adjust the idle screw on the accelerator linkage to increase the speed to about 1000rpm. Turn the dizzy body slowly until the speed increases and runs smoothly, if it is worse, turn it the other wait until it runs smoothly-bit like climbing a hill-it will reach a peak. When you reach that point, turn it back slightly and lock the clamp bolt.
 
It's a pleasure.....
**TIP**

One thing to remember about the 3.5/3.9's is that the aftermarket rotor arms can give grief as they can track down to earth. I have suffered this at my cost. Always replace it with the original Lucas. Way to check this is to remove dizzy cap, pull out the centre H.T. lead from the cap, hold it in well insulated pliers about 6-8mm from the centre of the rotor- above the brass strip and get someone to briefly spin the engine over. There should be no spark jumping across-if there is the rotor is faulty. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
 
**** Great TIP ****

I have just checked the boxes my parts came in and luckily all were genuine Lucas or Land Rover spares so I hope they will be OK for a while.

I purchased my parts from The Parts Shop Doncaster

Land Rover Parts Shop

Good supplier fast and will advise you if you have ordered the incorrect part.

As you have guessed I am new to working on Rangies and much appreciate your help.

Thanks a lot
 
Will this TIP with the timing work on a 3.9 EFI engine?
Mines is running pretty well now but when it idles i can hear a very slight noise that may be a small misfire.
Just wondering if i should leave it or try this method.

Cheers

DC
 
Nothing to lose-if the worst comes to the worst, at least you can put it back to where you are at now then investigate further. Do the rotor arm insulation check as mentioned in my last post and see if all is o.k with the voltage not breaking down before it gets to the plugs
 
Will do, although some problems i had later on was due to poor pattern parts being used by the previous owner. Breather pipes etc were in very poor condition as was leads and coil.
CTS was also replaced and the final thing that made it running great now, was infact a poor rotor arm. Got a genuine one fitted.........................problems gone.
:):)
 
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