Setting the timing on an EA82 L Series

jims · Post by **jims** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:48 am

Hi guys,

I want to check/adjust the timing on my L Series (with the EA82 engine). The problem is that there are no timing marks on the flywheel. When I had the flywheel off to do the clutch I check it all over but there is nothing there.

Has anyone come across this before? Are there any work arounds?

Thanks!

James

tony · Post by **tony** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:28 am

there should be 2 sets of marks on the outside edge of the flywheel sometimes they get covered by rust try rubbing sandpaper as you turn the motor by hand poke it through the hole in the top of the box. the timing set has several lines the other set has only 2 or 3 don't know what they are for.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:46 am

Normally you would remove your spare wheel (I noticed yours was on top of your car), then you'd remove the rubber dust cover on the engine bell housing on drivers side and then using your timing light on #1 (drivers side front plug) spark plug lead and with the engine running, shine the timing light towards the flywheel. On the EA82 carby model, the timing should be between 6 and 8 degrees BTDC. EFI EA82 is different and won't go in to that, as that could get confusing. I find it a lot easier to make a white paint mark on the flywheel at the appropriate degrees. The marks will definitely be there. As for the 3 other marks that tony has mentioned, they are for setting up the front Timing Belts.

Hope this makes sense and helps out.

Cheers,
Paul

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:06 am

Unless someone has machined it to reduce weight of flywheel to make the EA82 GO!

Is the flywheel grubby and need a bit of a scrub with abrasive paper or dremel wire brush ?

You may need to start from scratch and find #1 TDC and centre punch the flywheel for TDC. If you do I can then give you a measure of how many mm per degrees and which direction to make another punch mark.....

jims · Post by **jims** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 12:13 pm

It is quite grubby so I will try rubbing it back a bit. Thanks guys.

In terms of advancing the timing what are your opinions? The motor has 320k on it and is quite tired. It has new leads and plugs. Would advancing the timing be too much for an old motor like this? If not, how much would you adjust it?

James

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:08 pm

With today's higher octane fuels, you could advance the timing to somewhere between 8 and 10 degrees but make sure the engine doesn't start pinging. Nice big drive up Kalamunda hill certainly is a good test. If you need a little more power from the EA82, I would look at either carby rebuild or replacement with webber.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:13 pm

how old are the belts? New belts will help pull it into line and churn out as much power as it can