Porsche 356B: Static timing setup

[Juddder]

Hi everyone

First time doing the static timing on my 356 (and first time posting in the Porsche section) so a few questions which are probably going to be very simple for those that have done this before!

The workshop manual says to set the static timing at 5o before top dead center, so with my crankshaft rotated to this position, should the middle of the rotor head line up with the indication mark on the distributor that is at about 5 O'clock?

Here's some photos of where I am up to

Crankshaft pulley showing TDC (in between letters O and T) and the indicating notch of where 5o before is (this was made before I owned the car, but measuring with a paper protractor it is pretty close to 5o)



Distributor rotor position when the crankshaft is rotated to 5o BTDC which shows that the middle of the rotor is not aligned with the alignment mark on the distributor itself



Distributor model and side view for reference



So my understanding is that with the crankshaft at 5o BTDC that I should loosen the horizontal bolt to the right of the bottom of the distributor and rotate the body until the indicator mark on the rim matches the center of the rotor arm, but that's the bit I'm not sure of so any advice much appreciated!

Many thanks, Alex

References so far:

Franny's Porsche 356 Tune-Up Part 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Vm_OLZrT0

Dennis Vogel Porsche 356 Tune-Up

https://www.dennisvogel.com/porsche-356/tune-up/

Both are great references

[A993LAD]

Hi and thanks for posting. Not much 356 action on here by the looks of it.

I also have a 356 C and when I took it to the tuners to get the carbs checked they put a timing light on it and found the timing was slightly out so probably worth getting a strobe light if you don't already have one.

Are you on the 356 Registry forum? Although US based, it's definitely the best place for quick and useful advice. You have to pay and join to post but you can access for free and read the forum. Definitely worth joining though.

DDK is pretty good in the UK but doesn't have the userbase that the Registry has.

I would definitely recommend this book if you don't already have it.....



This page on ignition timing...

Edited by A993LAD on Thursday 15th August 11:33

[Juddder]

Thanks for the forum tips and for the scan of the timing page - that's great and much appreciated! I have the Brooklands Books one which is also very good but will try and find a copy of yours too as that looks great

[loughran]

Another invaluable book is the owners handbook which is a mine of information.

Depending on your car... T5... https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-parts/drivers...

Or T6.... https://www.prs356.co.uk/porsche-356-parts/drivers...

As suggested, the 356 Registry is an excellent resource, here's one of the timing articles...

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ClubExpressClubFiles/5799...

Edit to add, life is a lot more enjoyable with a 123 distributor.

https://123ignition.com/products/?filter_brand=por...

Edited by loughran on Wednesday 4th September 21:34

[A993LAD]

That's interesting I had considered one of those 123 distributors for my 356SC.

Which model would I need and are they easy to install?

What are the main benefits?

[loughran]

I installed a 123 about ten years ago and it's been a fit and forget item. No more points to adjust, no more dwell angle/timing issues, easy starting and no flat spots in acceleration due to sticky weights and worn phenolic spacers in the advance mechanism.

There's plenty of info on features and benefits on the 123 site.

https://123ignition.com/support/


I have an A which has no vacuum advance, I can't remember whether your C has vacuum or not but 123 sell a distributor for both/either.

The 'Switch' model is the basic (which I have) and the 'Tune' model allows you to adjust your timing curve from you phone.... if that's what you fancy doing.

I remember the installation being surprisingly straight forward.

There's tons of info and discussion on the Registry, pretty much all of it positive.

[A993LAD]

Excellent thanks I see Southern carburettors are one of the UK stockists and they are not far from me so I'll get in touch with them and see which model they recommend.

They are also very close to the guys that I used to tune my cars so I can probably get them to install it as well and check the tuning.

[Juddder]

The 123 distributors look good and yes I have been looking at the PowerSpark ones as I believe they are pretty similar in operation

https://simonbbc.com/bosch-009-type-distributor/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134717261193

I have the electronic points conversion kit from them already (*currently unfitted) so might try that first with my existing distributor and then go the whole all new route if it feels like that will give more improvements than that

There is also one I noticed from a company called AcuSpark which again looks similar

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172722180396

Edited by Juddder on Thursday 5th September 14:17

[loughran]

The 009 is more suited to a VW engine.

[Juddder]

Thanks and good to know. I'm guessing as the 356B isn't vacuum advanced on the distributor that this would be the one to get from 123?

https://123ignition.com/product/porsche-4-r/

[loughran]

That's the one. Halfway down the page you can choose 'Installation/manual' where you can download the installation instructions to get a feel of what you'll need to do .

The 'Curve' button next to it lists the 16 advance curves available. Curve 6 is the one you'll use.