Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mbflemingkf on July 15, 2014, 09:07:17 PM

Title: Timing?
Post by: mbflemingkf on July 15, 2014, 09:07:17 PM

OK, may have found a problem with my Kaiser.  timing was set at 4 degrees AFTER top dead center instead of 4 degrees BEFORE.  Geeze, why is it so difficult to find a real mechanic these days?   >:(  Wonder if that would make a difference in the engine running hot at idle??   :-\  Time will tell I guess.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: joefrazer on July 15, 2014, 09:10:05 PM

Yes, that will make a difference. The car should run cooler and have more power since the timing is now advanced to where it should be.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: 51Deluxe on July 16, 2014, 08:39:18 AM

Timing is one of the easiest DIY things to do, just have to find a timing light, which is harder to come by than it once was. I'll be checking garage sales for them myself.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: BigDave LM6174 on July 16, 2014, 10:19:29 AM

Harbor Freight has some cheap, but great timing lights for the do it yourselfers.  They are fine with 6 volt too.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: 51Deluxe on July 16, 2014, 11:00:17 AM

Thanks for the tip Big Dave, I go there all the time but forgot they have automotive stuff.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: 84RabbitGTI on July 16, 2014, 12:42:22 PM

I have not been able to find 6volt compatible timing lights at Harbor Freight recently.  How long ago have you checked there for one?  Do you have a part number or stock number or something?  Thanks!

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: 51Deluxe on July 16, 2014, 02:23:55 PM

I suspect it will work fine even if marked 12v. If I remember correctly, timing lights work on the high voltage from the coil, which shouldn't vary from 6v to 12v.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: 84RabbitGTI on July 16, 2014, 02:30:43 PM

The flash bulb is powered by the voltage.  The twelve volt I have does not work on 6V.  I have to have my brand X next to the Kaiser to power  the light, which is inconvenient.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: Fid on July 16, 2014, 05:54:44 PM

I do the same thing 84RabbitGTI.  One thing that is important is to set the point gap/dwell angle before setting the timing as changing the point gap will change the timing.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: boatingbill on July 16, 2014, 11:17:14 PM

The newer timing lights use a 12v source to power the electronics. It the 60's most
had a 6v/12v switch to be compatible. The old xenon units had one lead on the #1
wire and the other end grounded to fire the bulb. It was so dim we put a blanket
over our heads to see the timing marks. I have one and the bulb is burned out. Free
to anyone who wants it.

Title: Re: Timing?
Post by: dusty on July 20, 2014, 09:05:01 PM

Kaiser member Paul Boehm, Moses Lake Wa. gave me info on how to time an engine with a vacuum  gage. remove the plug wires from 1-3-5 plugs and run the engine to get the maxinmum reading 17-22 in vac. He says you will be timing the car under LOAD as race car mechanics do. every engineg is slightly different so timing will be slightly different with each.