New Product Idea. Distributor Timing Plate Re-Design

[zKars]

For years, literally years and years, I have been frustrated over and over again when setting up timing on our L series engines. Whether it’s a fresh engine setup, or after removing and replacing the distributor drive shaft after routine maintenance, I’m very often off by one tooth.

“So what” I proclaim, I’ll just adjust the timing by rotating the distributor a bit more. But nope, the slots in the plate are never long enough to allow that.  Or I have a custom setup and need to put the distributor in a specific orientation, but can’t because the timing plate won’t line up as needed.  I’ve had many customer cars in for various work, and often find the drive gear alignment is out have to sort out their timing issues. They may have been running crazy retarded for a long time and didn’t know how to fix it.

I’ve often resorted to cutting and welding on extensions to the plate to give me more rotation. Ugly, but it worked.

Whatever the reason, being too lazy to drop that sway bar one more time to get the oil pump off, or having a custom setup, or needing to get just the right base to suit the upgraded ZX E12-80 distributor you just bought but now can’t use, wouldn’t it be nice to just have a distributor timing plate that allows more adjustment? Maybe even cover any all possible Nissan distributor replacement options no matter your specific situation? No need to find the “right” base?

Heck, just not caring if you have the drive shaft alignment EXACTLY right when you put the oil pump back on, would be worth at least 6 rolls of toilet paper, right? Maybe even a BIG jar of hand sanitizer!

Not a week goes by when someone has been begging for help with getting the timing right here or on any of the forums or facebook.  How often have each of us posted the famous picture looking down the dizzy hole with the correct tang orientation? You know the one. 

Well, I’ve had enough. I “Fixed” it.

Even put an “A” and and arrow to show you which way is “Advance”. 

So what say you experts? Is is this worth making more of? Suggestions?

 

Edited March 25, 2020 by zKars

[zKars]

Could be plated, powder coated, Mac Tac’ed, carbon fibre wrapped, sponge painted, you name it.

Questions, comments, etc appreciated. I can send a few of you a “test” part and you can tell me what you think if that works. 

I’ve been installing them on local cars, no issues so far.

You can literally put the bolt in anywhere on the circumference. If the “right” spot is on a bridge, you just adjust the small bolt location to move it around enough. 

The only fly in the ointment so far is that there are two sizes needed. 

The dang distributors with points have a smaller inner and outer bolt circle than the later electronic styles. So I have a SMALL and LARGE version of this plate. Fits all the L4 and L6 distributors I’ve tried so far. Just have to have the right one.

I have been thinking about a way to make one plate for both, but it means large width slots and washers to span the gaps. Works, but..... 

Anyway first things first.

 

Edited March 26, 2020 by zKars

[240260280]

I like it.  A quick fix for many who have messed up engines. 

 

It also is nice for folks who upgrade from points to ZX and didn't get the right base.

 

Plus: Bling!

 

Edited March 26, 2020 by 240260280

[madkaw]

Very sweet idea . Even the best of us can’t get that damn shaft to line up the first time . Though I hope to never deal with that again - I REALLY like the idea . 
I actually considered scribing the timing cover for the vague 11:25 position 

[grannyknot]

Good work Jim, exercising those brain cells, it's a great idea!

[zKars]

Cool! I hoped it would meet with general approval. Seems that is the case. 

I sent some out for Yellow Zinc plating, hope they get back before Alberta closes all non-essential services. I can powder coat gloss black, Cast Aluminum, blue, red here in the shop, or supply them “naked” and let you do the sanding, prep and final finish.

But first, of course, we need to run a contest for the best name for this thing. Free timing plate to the best three suggestions. 

Edited March 26, 2020 by zKars

[Zed Head]

Is that water jet cut?

Don't forget to mark the "up" side.

[zKars]

It’s laser cut. And it does need a way to indicate top and bottom. The “A” is still an “A” when it’s upside down.... Maybe it should be “R” . Maybe time to buy that desktop Laser engraver I keep getting badgered about on FaceBook.

Name Possibilities:

 Time It!

Dizzy Disk

TimeBase

TimeSlot

AnyTime!

AnyTooth

That thing with the slots.....

 

 

[240260280]

"Advanced Auto Part"  lol  I can hear the lawyers.

 

How about some silly that may stick:

"Dizard"  (Distributor Wizard)

Or more common words:

"Time Piece"

"Time-Less"

"On-Time"

"Any-Time"

"Dis-Trust"

[Captain Obvious]

I see a hole and an A.  Maybe you could come up with a name that reflects that somehow?

You could change the "A" to a "Adv" so it would make it clear which way was up.

How about the Uni-Disk? For the universal-mount distributor disk. Or "Z-Disk" just to get the "Z" in there somewhere (even though it works on other cars).

[Captain Obvious]

 

[Mark Maras]

Spindle adaptor for a 45 rpm record? I haven't seen one of those in a looong time.