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first off - can some one tell me what the timing schould be set at on a 1700 cc engine (W) FI and automatic ??

another thing, what could be the problem

the engine starts fine but is running very uneven at constant velocity, and at low rpm's
but accellerates without problems as long your over 1700 rpm ?

I believe the book says 7.5deg BDTC at idle with hoses on but it is known to be best with 10 to 12 deg.
At 3500rpm and hoses off it should be 27 deg BTDC.

Regarding the uneven running I have the same question, my 412 litterary jumps at low rpms, mostly happens on 2nd gear..


Lars S

I once had the similar problem with my 412, it drove me nuts!! Hopping when accelerating from low revs and travelling at a constant speed.

Eventually, using Bentley's Type 3 manual and John Muir's idiot book, I tracked the fault to the trigger contacts in the base of the distributor. Mine were badly pitted and a replacement set smoothed everything out!

thanks !!

it turned out to be dirt in the trigger contacts and a faulty vacum can on the dizzy.

does any of you know a good guide for setting the timing ?

i can see what seems to be a zero "0" and a red triangle - can the timing be set with a regular timing gun/light or do i need one with an advance option ?

There should also be a second mark off to the right of the "0" mark. I think it is just a line or "I". Use this mark to set your timing at full advance ~3500 rpms hoses off.

A guide for finding timing marks can be found here:

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FindTimingMark.html

This is for the bus but the principle should be the same.

The ratwell pages
http://www.ratwell.com
is a huge resource for our Type 4 engines, thanks Richard!

/Lars S