Magna Spark II Questions

[coolbugfan]

Hi Sambas,

I just had the engine rebuilt on my 1965 1200. The distributor would not advance properly. After the builder and I tried a number of cheap ones that would not work properly, he recommended the Magna Spark II. The car runs nicely with it.

Questions:
Unlike the old one, there is no marking for TDC. How do I find TDC to adjust the valves? I know it's supposed to be "about 4 o'clock" and I can see where spark plug wire #1 goes as an approximation. Is there a more precise way of doing this easily?

Spark plug gap. I'm told the coil with the MSII puts out significantly higher voltage than the original. Should the spark plug gap be made larger? Any tables on proper gap for various engine permutations?

Thanks!

[67rustavenger]

Valve adjustment. Find TDC on the crank pulley. Remove the dist cap and verify that the rotor is pointing at the #1 spark plug lug. If not rotate the crank another 180 degrees. Adjust your valves.

Gap the plugs at 28 thousands as normal. The MSII really doesn't put out a more powerful spark to warrant opening the gap further.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Don Jones]

Easiest way to adjust your valves is to find TDC on your pulley with rotor facing #1 spark plug wire on distributor cap.

You now can adjust #1 Exhaust, #1 Intake, #2 Intake and #4 exhaust valves.

Rotate the engine 360 degrees to TDC with rotor facing #3 spark plug wire on distributor cap.

You now can adjust #3 exhaust, #3 Intake, #4 Intake and #2 Exhaust valves.

Thanks to Vintage Speed CEO for the tip.

[coolbugfan]

thank you.

So, you can adjust 1&2 and 3&4 at the same crank position? Good to know. I thought it was a 90 degree turn for each. Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.

[txoval]

It’s the same crank position, but the cam position is different

Have to rotate the crank two full circles for the cam to rotate once

Also, it was never 90 degrees...180 degrees if you do it the standard way

[coolbugfan]

Okay. Got it. Thanks for the clarrification.

[Don Jones]

Here's the link to the easiest way to adjust your valves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfkxlHWZmxM

Check the link just as i explained in the previous message and you will find it to be the best way!

You rotate the crank pulley clockwise once, go under the car and adjust 4 valves, get back out and rotate the crank another 360 degrees and adjust the other 4 valves. Simple.

[mark tucker]

you dont need tdc. just turn crank in the normal rotation direction look at the valves and see witch exhaust is going down. when it's about 1/4" down adjust the intake valve next to it. repeat 3 more times with the other cylinders. then watch as the intake valve go's down and is comming back up when it's about 1/4" from being all the way up adjust the exzaust valve next to it. repeat 3 more times with the other cylinders. when you get good at it you can see and do them as they come around . it's very eazy. and never worry about any degrees. and spelling dosent change a thing either.

[maui]

I think you mean you no more mark on pulley and want to know TDC on pulley.Take um off and put on a pulley with TDC to #1,then put yours on and mark um. Den line up rotor with #1 and mark um. Now adjust like da ada guys said.

[67rustavenger]

I didn't want to start a new thread for this dumb question

I have forgotten what sparkplugs are compatible with the MSII distributor.
Resister or non-resister?

Damned old age is getting to me!
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!