Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> 123Ignition Static Timing, Engine will not start
SteveNMaine
post Jul 1 2025, 10:08 AM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 50
Joined: 12-August 24
From: Maine
Member No.: 28,288
Region Association: None



I just setup my carbureted 2056 with 123Ignition distributor and cannot get it started.

Basics: Compression is good, new dual carbs and there is spark.

I have read several methods of setting static timing,

Method 1: 123 manual says set timing marks at 0 TDC and turn distributor till light turns green, I did that, no Joy.

Method 2: Set timing marks at 7.5 BTDC and turn distributor till light turns green, I did that, it sounded more like it wanted to start but no joy.

Should I continue to advance the timing?
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies
FlacaProductions
post Jul 2 2025, 08:09 AM
Post #2


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,964
Joined: 24-November 17
From: LA
Member No.: 21,628
Region Association: Southern California



Here's a note I have saved from Ian concerning setup that might help you: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=3110141


Jake Raby taught me a simple method. First, follow the directions for installation, which will get you to a point where the car runs. Set a curve point for 8 degrees @ 1K RPM, a point for 27 degrees @ 3000 rpm and a point for 27 degrees at 5K. Load that curve into the 123 distributor. Then hook up a timing light, cap off the vac advance and rev the engine to 3K RPM. I like to aim at the notch on the flywheel. Rotate the 123 until you’re showing 27 degrees BTDC @3K and then lock the unit down. The app and dizzy are now synched and you’ve approximated a simple stock curve. Now the fun begins. Drive around and see if there are any flat spots in acceleration. Make note of the rpm’s where the power seems to dip. Add points there to fine tune the advance. You’ll probably need a little more advance a little earlier. You may also need to tweak your idle advance a bit until it runs smoothly. Of course the condition of your engine, altitude and a bunch of other factors come into play.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SteveNMaine
post Jul 3 2025, 01:57 PM
Post #3


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 50
Joined: 12-August 24
From: Maine
Member No.: 28,288
Region Association: None



QUOTE(FlacaProductions @ Jul 2 2025, 08:09 AM) *

Here's a note I have saved from Ian concerning setup that might help you: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=3110141


Jake Raby taught me a simple method. First, follow the directions for installation, which will get you to a point where the car runs. Set a curve point for 8 degrees @ 1K RPM, a point for 27 degrees @ 3000 rpm and a point for 27 degrees at 5K. Load that curve into the 123 distributor. Then hook up a timing light, cap off the vac advance and rev the engine to 3K RPM. I like to aim at the notch on the flywheel. Rotate the 123 until you’re showing 27 degrees BTDC @3K and then lock the unit down. The app and dizzy are now synched and you’ve approximated a simple stock curve. Now the fun begins. Drive around and see if there are any flat spots in acceleration. Make note of the rpm’s where the power seems to dip. Add points there to fine tune the advance. You’ll probably need a little more advance a little earlier. You may also need to tweak your idle advance a bit until it runs smoothly. Of course the condition of your engine, altitude and a bunch of other factors come into play.

Unfortunately, I went through the setup procedure even with the help of the factory folks over the phone and still cannot get the engine to start. I am going to go back to the Bosch distributor and if that doesn't work I am going to scrap the whole project.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
SteveNMaine
post Jul 3 2025, 06:18 PM
Post #4


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 50
Joined: 12-August 24
From: Maine
Member No.: 28,288
Region Association: None



QUOTE(SteveNMaine @ Jul 3 2025, 01:57 PM) *

QUOTE(FlacaProductions @ Jul 2 2025, 08:09 AM) *

Here's a note I have saved from Ian concerning setup that might help you: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=3110141


Jake Raby taught me a simple method. First, follow the directions for installation, which will get you to a point where the car runs. Set a curve point for 8 degrees @ 1K RPM, a point for 27 degrees @ 3000 rpm and a point for 27 degrees at 5K. Load that curve into the 123 distributor. Then hook up a timing light, cap off the vac advance and rev the engine to 3K RPM. I like to aim at the notch on the flywheel. Rotate the 123 until you’re showing 27 degrees BTDC @3K and then lock the unit down. The app and dizzy are now synched and you’ve approximated a simple stock curve. Now the fun begins. Drive around and see if there are any flat spots in acceleration. Make note of the rpm’s where the power seems to dip. Add points there to fine tune the advance. You’ll probably need a little more advance a little earlier. You may also need to tweak your idle advance a bit until it runs smoothly. Of course the condition of your engine, altitude and a bunch of other factors come into play.

Unfortunately, I went through the setup procedure even with the help of the factory folks over the phone and still cannot get the engine to start. I am going to go back to the Bosch distributor and if that doesn't work I am going to scrap the whole project.

It is getting spark, I just can't get the timing right.
User is online!Profile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

Posts in this topic


Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 4th July 2025 - 08:42 AM