Timing Light Connections

[Tanz]

Want to check my timing after doing my valve clearances. Have a strobe light which connects to the battery. What is the best way to connect it. Not a problem on cars with batteries in the front. The negative connection is not a problem as any good earth will do. The red positive cable that runs the length of the car could be used I guess? Where does this appear in the engine compartment ? is it at the starter motor? Otherwise I suppose it's easier just to get a long wire and attach it to the positive side of the battery and run it to the front of the car. What is everyone else doing to check their timing

[robertverhey]

Yes under the airbox, on starter motor solenoid, is my feed of choice.

Virtually impossible to see the timing markings without bonnet off

Robert

[Tanz]

Thanks for the answers - will give it a go over the week end. Got to be a way of making the bonnet quicker to take off. Every job you do needs the bonnet off and its such a pain to inch those allen screws out. Anyone got a quicker way
Guy at the lotus club - Litchfield has a Elan with a quick release bonnet - tucks the whole thing under his arm while he tells you about the engine

[garyexcel]

Hi Tanz

I have a flexible drive screwdriver with square end just put on appropriate allen head and 2 secounds and its off hope this helps

Gary

[chrisw2811]

Mine's been off & on a good few times and I've found that a bit of copper slip on the threads has made it easy to undo the nuts with fingers once they have been slackened off half a turn.

[robertverhey]

Standard bolts and a tube spanner. On and off in a flash

[Tanz]

Thanks again for the replies,

The previous owner helped me out with one of the allen screws. There is a screw driver perminently wedged into the end of the allen screw. I had a picture somewhere but can't find it

Edited

Just found the old thread complete with pic
http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... rew+driver

Maybe I should wedge another one in the other side

[Tanz]

Checked the timing yesterday. Had to buy a new timing light as my old one wuz bost.

Connected it as earlier posts ie to the red cable on the starter - worked a treat

Timing was a mile out after doing the valve clearances - close to TDC at hot idle. If I am reading the manual correctly (and it is a bit confusing with this spec and that spec) it should be set at 10 degrees BTDC at hot idle I have set it at 10 and the performance is much improved especially from a standing start - no flat spot when I put my foot down

Is 10 degrees correct

[tricky]

Hi phil

yes 10 degrees BTDC is correct at hot idle