Fiat 124 Spider - Page 70

FIAT 124 Spider
Engine Maintenance + Modification
70
A nut holds the distributor shaft down on the engine block or cam box. To turn the
distributor (the engine does not need to be turned on at this point), simply loosen the nut
so that the distributor rotates. It is useful to loosen it only enough so that it will turn,
some tension is desirable and holds the unit in place while you turn the distributor.
Once the initial settings are correct you’ll need to set the ignition timing to the running
position. This varies between engine types as described in the table below:
Table 10: Ignition Advance by Engine Type
Motor Degrees of Advance BTDC
1438cc, 1608cc 5
1592cc 0
1796cc 0
2000cc 10
If you removed the distributor cap and wires in the previous setting you’ll need to re-
install them now. You should keep the distributor loose enough to rotate since you’ll
need to rotate it again.
Start the engine and let it run until it reaches 190 degrees F (usually two complete cycles
of the fan). If the engine will not run rotate the distributor slightly in either direction until
it will run, or increase the idle speed screw to hold the throttle open. Once 190 degrees
is reached reduce the idle speed to approximately 850 RPM or 900 RPM for engines
with air conditioning.
Timing Light Engine Speed
850 +/- 50
(w/o AC)
900 +/- 50
(with AC)
Figure 43: Final Timing (2000cc engine)