Ignition Timing, A Good Read

Guys,

For me ignition timing is one of those things I occasionally understand when I need to, then I don't think of it for a long time and forget what I knew! I was pretty sharp on the topic back when I (mis)spent too much time and money making an 80ci Harley kind of fast (but not really). Anyhoo, having been given a 1982 CJ7 in completely original and terrible condition my mind is reeling with the possibilities! My other Jeep is a 1973 with 304 and so was not festooned with lousy engine accoutrements such as computers, carbs with motors, and a nest of rubber tubing. And so rebuilding the MC2100 and dialing in the existing timing seems entirely adequate. But this poor 258 is an entirely different starting point. Wanting to keep it street-worthy, one has only so many options in order to pass at least the "visual" emissions testing required in my locale.

I've been reading about the Howell EFI kits, and also some forum threads on problems some people have experienced with pinging after installing the kits. That stuff gets me excited! I love a good riddle when I think I have a shot of solving it (even vicariously through a forum thread from over a decade ago).

One poster referenced what I think may be the best explanation of ignition timing I've ever read. While the EarlyCJ5 forum seems to consider Intermediate-era tinkerers "darned whipper-snappers", some folk certainly play with even later model CJs. I like this place because of the good manners, exceptional skills, and unbelievable depth of historical and engineering knowledge about Jeeps and so will probably hang out here while messing with this 1982 CJ7.

But my ramblings aren't the Good Read I promised. Here is the link to an excellent ignition timing article: http://www.corvette-restoration.com/wp-content/uploads/technical_papers/Timing101.pdf

Chilly