Ignition timing problems

[C.A.Moseley]

my '78 rangie has an ignition problem. I've replaced nearly all of it, points, condensor, rotter, dizzy cap, leads and plugs, and i've done around 1000k's since the coil was changed. It would just detonate and miss. I set the dwell on the points spot on but when i tried to set the timing it's around 30+ degrees before TDC by the marks on the pulley and wont run any closer. I may have broken the keyway and spun the pulley but still runs shit. Whats an electronic Dizzy worth

[Loanrangie]

I had the same prob on my 3.5, the balancer keyway was flogged out about 10mm making setting the timing with a light impossible, try by ear and if the marks are way out then the balancer wil be knackered.

[F'n_Rover]

Have you gone back to basics? Pull #1 plug, put a screwdriver in the bore and find the real TDC - check this against the balancer mark. An electronic dizzy is good but probably won't fix your problem.

Balancer marks are never accurate - common for the outer to spin / slip.
Cam end float, dizy shaft end float all affect timing - but IMO not enough to cause your problems.

also do you have a vacuum guage - adjust for max vacuum on idle, if you have good vac on idle - the problem is elsewhere.

Also - at what revs are you getting pinging? Is your temp guage working?

[C.A.Moseley]

Also - at what revs are you getting pinging? Is your temp guage working?[

pinging non stop only while driving, free revs a bit doughy. temp is normal or slightly above. Tommorrow I'll try pullin the plug and set TDC then set timing off that as a starting point then go by ear and test drive.