Argh, this is driving me insane. 3 times now i've set the timing by the book, checked, re checked and triple checked, put the fan and grille back on, final check and suddenly its off - first 2 times it was advanced, this last time retarded.

Could there be some issue with the advance weights or am i just cocking it up somehow in a way that goes out of kilter after 10 minutes???

I also noticed when double checking the static timing that the marks that Sean had tippexed onto the flywheel and starter were out of line by a tooth. Didn't think too much of it at the time, but I'm pretty sure that they were bang on when he painted them...

The static point cant move unless you have sheared the flywheel bolts. Peg it and see what the tippex line corresponds to - probably the edge of the bellhousing stud horn( like the bit the engine plate rivets to) and itll depend on which angle you look at it, or a line drawn down through the belhousing stud and you look down the line.

If what you mean is that the firing point is moving in relation to the static then it sounds like the points cam is not returning to its stop due to either to mechanical problems or just plain wear.

check the bob weights arent dragging on the dust cover or that you have put the points cover screw in the points fixed part as this will drag on the bob weight carrier.

its not beyond reasonable that all that stuff is just worn as its a particularly tired van

I cant really think of how the flywheel could have gotten damaged short of when i started the engine without taking the rod out of the crankcase hole last week. Is there a way to measure the cam for wear?

I checked that nothing was dragging when I had it all apart, and you replaced the backplate when i was at yours as the last one WAS dragging on the weights. Do you think that could have damaged the mechanism somehow?

Does anyone know where i can buy a replacement cam? I can't find it on ecas, burton or 2cv city (yes, i know they're not great but it was worth checking) and i don't really know any more suppliers.

More questions, I kno, sorry.. I do appreciate the help folks

Electronic ignition fixes all issues you have, forever, win.

Harley

its not the flywheel

the other thing to check is the condensor run the engine for a short time with the fan off and the points cover off if there is any sparking from the points corresponding to the hunnting - then its the condensor. ( even new fresh out the packet duclellier ones are doing this after a couple of hours)

dont get too hung up on what you think is going wrong at idle as long as its not pinking then itll be fine. i suspect your looking for trouble as for the timing returning ive a couple of cams that are OK the bob weights and the springs are available.

yeah, there was a fair bit of sparking from the points when i had the cover off. Possibly time to fit that velleman kit you gave me as this is the second condenser since may. Why are they so crap these days??

And you may be right and i'm obsessively looking for problems, and therefore any tiny issue becomes a huge thing in my mind... :/

there you go then they are crap because quality doesn't count anymore when only a handful of old cars use them.