123Ignition Static Timing, Engine will not start Options

[SteveNMaine]

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?

[Superhawk996]

I still have not been able to get my 2056 to start with the 123Ignition. It sounds like it wants to start but no joy.

I followed the installation instructions and even talked to the factory, no joy.

I have tried almost every curve I can find on the forums, no joy.

I am sure it is a timing thing but just cannot figure it out.

I am just about ready to give up and sell off the project, two 1974 1.8 bodies, three engines (1.7, 1.8 and the 2056), two side shifter transaxles, etc.

I see no path forward; it has just become too frustrating. This will be the first project I ever walked away from.

Will be easier to help you if all info is kept in one thread

Don’t give up.

In order to help you’re going to have to do some work to better describe what has been done, what the symptoms are right now, and you’ll likely need to do some hands on troubleshooting. You mention new carbs. You don’t mention if the engine has ever successfully run on those carbs with the old distributor.

First off without even knowing your symptoms, I’m going to state that it is possible that in the process of removing your old distributor, that the distributor (dizzy for short) drive gear can be partially lifted out as the dizzy is removed and then the dizzy drive gear can drop back into place one or more teeth off. This can happen without you even knowing it has happened.

To get to the bottom of this will require some significant effort on your part. The best approach will be to start from scratch and reverify timing all the way back to Cylinder #1 top dead center of the compression stroke.

If you’re game, you’ll find the help you need.

[SteveNMaine]

I still have not been able to get my 2056 to start with the 123Ignition. It sounds like it wants to start but no joy.

I followed the installation instructions and even talked to the factory, no joy.

I have tried almost every curve I can find on the forums, no joy.

I am sure it is a timing thing but just cannot figure it out.

I am just about ready to give up and sell off the project, two 1974 1.8 bodies, three engines (1.7, 1.8 and the 2056), two side shifter transaxles, etc.

I see no path forward; it has just become too frustrating. This will be the first project I ever walked away from.

Will be easier to help you if all info is kept in one thread

Don’t give up.

In order to help you’re going to have to do some work to better describe what has been done, what the symptoms are right now, and you’ll likely need to do some hands on troubleshooting. You mention new carbs. You don’t mention if the engine has ever successfully run on those carbs with the old distributor.

First off without even knowing your symptoms, I’m going to state that it is possible that in the process of removing your old distributor, that the distributor (dizzy for short) drive gear can be partially lifted out as the dizzy is removed and then the dizzy drive gear can drop back into place one or more teeth off. This can happen without you even knowing it has happened.

To get to the bottom of this will require some significant effort on your part. The best approach will be to start from scratch and reverify timing all the way back to Cylinder #1 top dead center of the compression stroke.

If you’re game, you’ll find the help you need.

I don't want to give up. This is the full story.

Last year I purchased a 1974 2.0 that had been removed intact, FI and all.

It did have a Bosch 022 905 205 F distributor, which I believe is not the original.

I never started the engine. Over the winter I built it to a 2056 using Ian Karr’s videos among other resources. I converted the intake to dual IDF 40’s and installed the 123/TUNE+ 4-R-V-POR distributor according to the instructions and even called 123 and they walked me through the installation and basic set up, it still won’t start.

I have tried every program advance curve I can find on the forums with no success. On one program it acts like it wants to start but just won’t get there.

I am an experienced mechanic but this is my first 914 Type 4 build.

How can I tell if the distributor drive gear is off? I triple checked everything when I assembled it.