Weird ignition advance-retard problem!!!

[PATZ]

Hi guys!

Our mechanic needs help with doing the ignition timing of our 1972 (or a 73) 240Z.

First of all, the crankshaft pulley i believe is the wrong one, so he had to make new timing marks via positioning piston #1 at TDC (at moment of spark ignition, the mechanic swears it is so, and not at the exhaust stage).

He then marked the crankshaft pulley in line with the pointer on the engine. The distributor rotor is pointing to the #1 high tension cable post of the distributor as well.

We checked the distributor rotor`s direction of rotation when the engine is turned by the starter (Counter-clockwise). Now here`s the weird part (?!)

When advancing[/u] the timing, he of course turned the distributor Clockwise, and instead of the idling increasing...the idle decreased!!?? And when turning the distributor Counter-clockwise to retard the timing, the idling increased!??

Take note that when turning the distributor Clockwise to supposedly advance the timing, the timing mark moved upwards from the pointer (meaning that if you could see the pulley head on from the front of the car, you would find the pulley mark turning clockwise), and that if you turned the distributor Counter-clockwise to retard the timing, the timimg mark moved downwards (looking at the pulley head on from the front of the car, the mark would be moving Counter-clockwise).

So, what could be happening here?? Decreasing idle when advancing distributor, Increasing idle when retarding distributor?? We`r both totally baffled! Is the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley moving in the right direction? Isnt the distributor rotor supposed to point at the post of the #1 high tension cable?

HELP PLS!!

patrick

[JohnnyO]

Read this thread:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39331&highlight=timing

and pay attention to the link in post #7. This should help your mechanic.

[PATZ]

Thanks, i`l read through it as well.