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Check and adjust the ignition point

Check these adjustments regularly every 10000 km. Adjust the ignition timing as follows:

  • Make sure that the compression cycle is on cylinder no. 1, and that both valves are closed. Bring the crankshaft into a position so that the mark on the crankshaft-pulley is 13 to 14 mm before the mark on the timing cover. This is equivalent to an ignition timing adjustment of 10° before the top dead center (TDC / UDC).
  • Attach the drive shafts of the main distributor shaft with the drive-linkage within the distributor-coupling (bottom part). The stud bolt should be in the middle of the distributor-coupling's long hole. Attach the distributor-coupling to the distributor itself by fastening screw A.
Check and adjust the ignition point - Fiat 500 vintage car
  • Remove the distributor cap and rotate the main distributor shaft until the rotor arm is pointed towards the contact point of cylinder no. 1. Thus, the breaker contacts (whose maximum clearance should be 0.47 to 0.53 mm) should be in a position where they begin to open.
  • Without rotating the main distributor shaft, attach the whole distributor by leading the engine's stud screw through the bottom hole of the distributor-coupling. Fasten screw B when this is done.
  • Recheck, whether or not the breaker contacts are still in the position where they begin to open and whether the rotor arm is still pointing towards the contact point of cylinder no. 1. If necessary, unfasten screw A and adjust the position of the distributor casing.
  • Finally, attach the spark plug cables to the spark plugs.
Check and adjust the ignition point - Fiat 500 vintage car