Emmery and others-
For what it's worth, here is what I have. A friend of mine made me a
knock sensor which has included a LED light. I cut a narrow slit ( maybe
3/16"x3/4") on the left side of the dash to accomodate the LEDS behind
where it is easily viewed but really doesn't show, unless the LEDS come
on. I have also the MSD timing control which is mounted on the left by
the window in a position which is very easy to reach with my hand
/and/or even rest my hand on the control if I wish.
Originally I had this set at a mid point so I could advance about 7
degrees or retard 8 degrees at my choice by turning the dial. If the
LEDS began to light up I could retard it a bit. I used this kind of a
setup as I wanted to have control myself of retarding it rather than
leaving it to an automatic device which may be cutting in more than I
wanted, or knew about, and even retarding it too much.
How has it all worked out? Well initially, it seemed to work fine. Only
irritant is, if one is travelling at high speed -say over 65- the Leds
will start to light up a bit. I think I have them set a little too
sensitively and I am presuming at that speed the knock sensor is picking
up engine noise. Maybe there is some wisdom on the Net on this. At least
that is what I hope is what's happening. I have tried mounting the knock
sensor in several positions and it doesn't seem to make much difference
where it is mounted. I finally settled for the extreme left rear head
hole. I had tried a front right spot. I could turn down the sensitivity
but prefer to keep it on the lighter side. Maybe it helps me to keep the
speed down a little too as when the Leds come on at hight speed I'm not
sure if it is knocking or just engine hash!
As for the MSD- it worked fine until recently, but then quit, so sent it
back and even though, way beyond the guarranty, they said it was
defective and so fixed it for free. I am now however setting it with the
dial at maximum(15), so the device is locked out.Anti clockwise turning
of the dial gradually retards the dist. The disadvantage of this is I
have lost the ability to easily advance the timing as I drive from the
drivers seat.
When talking to MSD I tried to find out how they were able to affect the
timing by just tapping into the dist. wires ahead of the cap.
Essentially they would't tell me, and I guess that is their secret. I
made the change in not having the control modulating the timing on a
constant basis, as I began to wonder- what if it breaks down again or
intermitently stops working- it may take me a while before I realize it.
So the current method locks it out all the time except when I am
retarding it manually with the dial. MSD sugest either way as
appropriate.
One thing I try to keep in mind- it is nice to sometimes add more
"things" to our vehicles, but what it does is add more things to go
wrong and to start worrying about. ( Take Note Arch!!).So I try to be
pretty careful what I add at this point. I've got enough other stuff to
worry about. Would I do this mod again? Yes, likely yes. Would I choose
the EKE one? Or would one be better off with e Jacobs one? Hard to say
as I have never had either one. Perhaps like with most things - there
are usually good parts to a thing and also some not so good.It is neat
that we get to hear from each other and learn what others experiences
are and so can then be better informed as to what might work for our own
situation.
Claude in Victoria,having fun, where its not too hot, not water
shortage, you can water your lawn, no fires, and where all the smart
tourists are!!! Wonder if the tourist bureau would give me a job?
For what it's worth, here is what I have. A friend of mine made me a
knock sensor which has included a LED light. I cut a narrow slit ( maybe
3/16"x3/4") on the left side of the dash to accomodate the LEDS behind
where it is easily viewed but really doesn't show, unless the LEDS come
on. I have also the MSD timing control which is mounted on the left by
the window in a position which is very easy to reach with my hand
/and/or even rest my hand on the control if I wish.
Originally I had this set at a mid point so I could advance about 7
degrees or retard 8 degrees at my choice by turning the dial. If the
LEDS began to light up I could retard it a bit. I used this kind of a
setup as I wanted to have control myself of retarding it rather than
leaving it to an automatic device which may be cutting in more than I
wanted, or knew about, and even retarding it too much.
How has it all worked out? Well initially, it seemed to work fine. Only
irritant is, if one is travelling at high speed -say over 65- the Leds
will start to light up a bit. I think I have them set a little too
sensitively and I am presuming at that speed the knock sensor is picking
up engine noise. Maybe there is some wisdom on the Net on this. At least
that is what I hope is what's happening. I have tried mounting the knock
sensor in several positions and it doesn't seem to make much difference
where it is mounted. I finally settled for the extreme left rear head
hole. I had tried a front right spot. I could turn down the sensitivity
but prefer to keep it on the lighter side. Maybe it helps me to keep the
speed down a little too as when the Leds come on at hight speed I'm not
sure if it is knocking or just engine hash!
As for the MSD- it worked fine until recently, but then quit, so sent it
back and even though, way beyond the guarranty, they said it was
defective and so fixed it for free. I am now however setting it with the
dial at maximum(15), so the device is locked out.Anti clockwise turning
of the dial gradually retards the dist. The disadvantage of this is I
have lost the ability to easily advance the timing as I drive from the
drivers seat.
When talking to MSD I tried to find out how they were able to affect the
timing by just tapping into the dist. wires ahead of the cap.
Essentially they would't tell me, and I guess that is their secret. I
made the change in not having the control modulating the timing on a
constant basis, as I began to wonder- what if it breaks down again or
intermitently stops working- it may take me a while before I realize it.
So the current method locks it out all the time except when I am
retarding it manually with the dial. MSD sugest either way as
appropriate.
One thing I try to keep in mind- it is nice to sometimes add more
"things" to our vehicles, but what it does is add more things to go
wrong and to start worrying about. ( Take Note Arch!!).So I try to be
pretty careful what I add at this point. I've got enough other stuff to
worry about. Would I do this mod again? Yes, likely yes. Would I choose
the EKE one? Or would one be better off with e Jacobs one? Hard to say
as I have never had either one. Perhaps like with most things - there
are usually good parts to a thing and also some not so good.It is neat
that we get to hear from each other and learn what others experiences
are and so can then be better informed as to what might work for our own
situation.
Claude in Victoria,having fun, where its not too hot, not water
shortage, you can water your lawn, no fires, and where all the smart
tourists are!!! Wonder if the tourist bureau would give me a job?
