Setting the ignition timing using a stroboscope (BMW 3 Series E21)

Connect the "+" clamp of the stroboscope to the "+" terminal of the battery, the "ground" clamp to an unpainted part of the body, and connect the clamp of the stroboscope sensor to the high-voltage wire of the 1st cylinder.

Run the engine at idle speed without connecting the vacuum hoses to the distributor.

Direct the flashing beam of the strobe light into the clutch housing hatch and turn the distributor housing so that the mark on the flywheel is in the middle of the hatch.



Check the ignition timing dynamically (see the value in the subsection "Detailed technical specifications").

If the ignition timing is correct, tighten the distributor housing flange mounting bolt and connect the vacuum hoses to it.

On engines with a lag-ignition sensor-distributor by resolution, make sure that at a crankshaft speed of 1000 rpm the TDC mark "OT" is visible in the clutch housing hatch.