6) Double check Dwell and Ign Timing, before shutting Shop. If any of these have to be altered, the Idling/Mixture setting exercise will have to be repeated but if done correctly in the first place, it should not be necessary.

Shown above/left is the schematic diagram of the Zen/Esteem Electronic Distributor – which rarely needs any adjustment. If at all it does, it requires some special tools and thus best left to a reputed MASS. Above right shows the Ignition Timing Marks on a Zen/Esteem, which are provided at the front end of the engine as opposed to inside the Bell-Housing of an M800.

7) Recheck the Dwell and consequently the Ign timing/Idling Rpm after 3-4 days of running around. Experience with the somewhat poor Quality of Indian DB Point Assys shows that they tend to drift significantly during such a ‘running-in period. Reset all the four – dwell/Ign timing/idle rpm and A/F mixture to above values. The Zen/Esteem Ignition Timing adjustment procedure is similar to that of M800 i.e. rotating the DB around it’s mounting flange.

8) Hereafter, carry out a similar check once every 2500km, accompanied by ‘proper’ cleaning of the Air Filter (blowing ‘inside-out’ by compressed air and NOT the other way round). That should keep it in peak form. Spark Plugs are to be cleaned and reset every 5000km and DB Points/Condenser/Spark plugs inspected/replaced every 10000km.

Comparative Engine Tune-up Data

N.B.

(i) DB Dwell Angle is not applicable to Zen and Esteem Electronic Distributors.
(ii) However, it should be ~ 8*@ 1000 rpm and ~ 55* @ 3000 rpm. If beyond this range, the Distributor is a suspect – manifesting mostly in abnormal knocking of the engine.

Recommended Surfing to get the wider picture :

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/cold_stalling_engine.htm

http://www.cybersteering.com/cruise/driving/tyre_pressure.html

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/car_ac_part1.htm

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/mileage.htm

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/mileage3.htm

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/autoclutch.htm

http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/autoclutch2.htm

Conclusion

Well I hope the ‘Walk the Talk’ spread over 3-Parts was of some interest and use. Believe me, there no pleasure greater than driving a ‘purrfectly’ tuned Carb/Distributor type of a Car and more so if your have done the tuning yourself. That way, the present generation Mpfi’s take away all the DIY fun and its rewards and I, therefore, tend to look at them as a necessary evil instead !

It’s quite possible that some of the points discussed over here may not make much sense to some Visitors. In that case, they are welcome to post their queries to me and I shall try my best to clarify them.