Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

[mercuk]

Hi all,
I have been doing some searching on here and read that apparently there was a bulletin a few years ago stating that my max advance on my 1985 4cyl 75 hp Kiekhaefer engine should be reduced to 23 degrees BTDC rather than the factory set 27 degrees BTDC. (Something to do with the lower quality of fuel used today I think)

Now I checked it and it still set at 27 BTDC. Now the problem I have is the timing marks are faded on the flywheel and I can only just make out the timing markings on the flywheel.

What would happen if I just left it at factory settings?! Last time I checked compressions I had 145-150 psi and all 4 cyl. So still made it this far in life on the factory settings with no major problems (touch wood).

Hope the pics come out all right.
Thanks to all that reply to my post.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

Maybe its the camera angle but looks like you are at 26 BTDC
If they said to reduce BTDC i suppose its to minimise predetonation from too volatile fuel, later timing probably improves the flame front.
Maybe knocking/pinging/ running hot could be the affect of the new fuel at 27 BTDC

 

[mercuk]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

Hi thanks for the reply. Sorry ignore what the point is showing, it is simply ment to show that these are the timing marks I have present on the flywheel.
Thinking about it and looking at the photo, I think that the marks that are show are 23-27 BTDC. I might get some tipex or something similar to make these easier to see as when I had the timing gun, I could literaly only see the 27.

Thanks again for the input. Mercuk

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

Id say that it is one degree per mark too.
I do mine in different colours which makes it easier to see with the timing gun

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

You could run chalk, or paint and wipe it off so holds in the marks. But I don't think there should be problem as is.
What fuel are we talking about?

 

[mercuk]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

You could run chalk, or paint and wipe it off so holds in the marks. But I don't think there should be problem as is.
What fuel are we talking about?

Well the standard unleaded fuel we get here in England is 95 ron ocatane level.

What I would really like to know is what could be the consequences if I leave the engine at the factory settings i.e 27 degrees BTDC. I mean its lasted 28 years as it is, but after all the work I have put into the engine, I would want it to last another 28 years......
Thanks

 

[mercuk]

Re: Kiekhaefer engine timing marks..

Another thing that might be worth mentioning is that I know in continental Europe they cut thier unleaded fuel with 10% methanol (I think).
Not sure if its the same here in the uk, but for the purposes of this thread, assume it is.
Thanks.