Rotor phasing shortcut ?

Hi All

Just busy setting up a new ignition system - Promag 44.

I plan to run a crank trigger with six shooter and was thinking about phasing.

I don't want to cut a hole in a new cap to adjust phasing for the retard.

Would I be right in thinking that if I set the timing using the generator pickup that the phasing will be correct? ie if I want the retarded timing to be 20* then set the generator position to 20* then swap the ignition back to crank trigger.

Or am I missing something here

I appreciate your help

Russ

 

That is how we set our 44. Fire it on the mag, set timing, shut it off, switch to the trigger, and refire it. verify timing. go race.

 

Shouldn't your phasing be an average of run and retard?
eg runs at 30 and you pull 10 in hi gear. Then phase the generator @ 25. ?

 

hey Mike good talking to you..and yes the rings went great..Dave
www.myspace.com/daveloweswr

 

Russ

Two questions: Do you have a "big" cap? What base timing do you plan to run, and then how much retard? (Maybe that's three questions}

 

I've found that the difference between setting the timing with the mag trigger @ say 25 degrees and then phasing the rotor to exactly the center of the plug wire terminal and running it off of the crank pickup to be about 20 degrees. I think it might have some to do with where the pickup magnets are in relation to TDC via the crankshaft. I think the best way is to phase the rotor to the cap, that way the spark has the shortest gap to jump at set timing.

 

I understand not wanting to cut a hole in your cap, but a new cap is $50. Isn't it worth $50 to make sure it's right, instead of risking engine damage? For that matter, maybe someone you know has an old cap laying around??

 

The rotor assembly in the MSD pro cap is adjustable so you can index the rotor point at the cap without changing the actual mag timming.

 

It would be best to set the mag timing where you feel you can safely make a run down the track. Then, if the crank trigger fails you can plug in the mag pickup and still make your run.
Unless you are making massive timing changes, the phasing should be fine.

 

OK

Yes it's a big cap deal.

I'm working on 28* base timing and pulling 15* retard and I agree with the advice on setting the phasing to half of the retard.

The MSD instructions say to check phasing with a timing light shined through a hole drilled in cap

My question is really asking can you rely on the factory phasing of the generator?

Cos if you can, setting the timing with the generator (motor running) SHOULD make the phasing correct.

IE Start the engine on generator and set timing to 20*. Stop engine and swap back to crank trigger. Start engine and set timing to 28* by adjusting the trigger mount.

Now we should be happy right?????

Or have I had too many beers.....

Russ

 

In my opinion the mag should be timed to where you can make a lap as previously said,
i always time my mag then trigger at 26 degrees then if the trigger fails just go on the generator....... it could save your weekend
secondly personaly i think you had too much beer if You play with the generator with the motor running Did you ever see anyone get a whack from a 44

 

Hi guys, yes the phasing of the mag is accurate. By pass the trigger first. Then you can switch back to the crank trigger. If it helps, there is a short video at http://www.msdpromag.com . On the left menu go to "Products". Then to "caps". There are a couple of videos that show how to set the phasing. I used the multi hole cap from MSD but you could cut one hole in an older cap.
With a little practice, concentration and a good MSD timing light your helper can activate the 6 shooter or retard and you will see the retard in the cap and on the timing.
Don't cheap out on the timing light as cheap lights are emulators and can be retarded by a degree or two. MSD or Snap on with no retard are the ones I have used.
Yes I have watched a couple guys get hit by a 44. Not good. First, the wires must be good and I wouldn't grab it by the top of the cap but by the body. It is hard to turn and you need team work and a communication method. Once it is set hold tension back on the rotor with the cap off and scribe a fine line after the timing is set so you can easily find your way back when you are in a hurry. If it off once you start it up you can always adjust the timing by the shooter increments. That is a story for another day.