What is the best way to set the timing on a 1275 s , Trying to use a light seems to almost be impossible.

 

ummmmmmmm

I have a 1275 A+ and a light is the only way I know how to do it short of "seat of the pants" aka by ear ....

It was a little difficult finding the flywheel mark the first time but once I had that - and marked it with a little paint ... no big deal.

are you tuning, or is this a reassembly and you may not even be in the ballpark?

What is the problem?

I use the cheapest light Harbor Freight sells and get er done . . .

 

I am trying to time the engine after putting a new clutch in and working on the dist. Can you see the timing mark through the hole in the cover or do you need to use a mirror. It is very hard to try and look for the timing mark.

 

ahhhh

you have the older block / pre 76

much easier on the A+ where there is a scale and timing mark on the timing cover ...

(haynes 13.5c rather than 13.5a)

 

Hi...first thing to do is remove spark plugs and pop it into 4th gear, nest remove rocker cover ( that's where oil is put in) now pull car forward and watch both rockers on NO:1 piston look for inlet (NO:2Valve) to open and then close now check NO:1valve and 2 valve and see if they are rocking if yes this is the firing position, now remove dizzy cap ( where spark plug leads are) and look where rotor arm is pointing and pop a dot of white paint on block opp rotor arm, now refit dizzy and see if NO:1 lead on cap is in line with white doe on block if so refit spark plugs and rocker cover put gears into neutral and also check if pointer on timing cover is pointing at mark on damper pulley if so then things are already to start the engine now pop the timing light on and connect it up and point it at pulley and see if timing mark is in line with pointer if not loosen dizzt clamp and gently rotate dizzy till they match.....

 

Some interesting background articles on ignition and cam timing for your Classic Mini can be found here! Please let us know if we can help.

http://www.minimania.com/Search_Results/timing/All

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I believe the issue is trying to see the 'marks' on the older style setup where you remove a cover plate to see the flywheel . . . AWKWARD!!!!! After you have done it a few times, easier probably ..... but also MUCH easier on an A+ where there is a scale and a flywheel mark up by the radiator ... easily seen without needing to be a contortionist

 

I had to use a mirror on Buzz, even then it was tough to get it right.....

 

Thanks for all the info from all of you. I have spark at plugs and have made sure dist is not 180 off. Will try to continue to try and start it and then use a mirror to time after static timing. I called pert and I have the right part . I have done all the things they suggested and it will just take time to get it running.

 

so you have spark and fuel......next must be air check air filter is not clogged...and enough air is passing through carb......

 

Filter has just been cleaned before I tried to start engine. The filters are on two 45 DCOE single barrel weber carbs that ran the engine before the clutch was replaced. It was a race car. Each 45 DCOE was Made into a single barrel and has a special manifold that puts each single barrel straight into the head.

 

have you tried this to check that the dizzy shaft is in the correct position