Mechanical Engineering

Question

Is it possible to alter an engine's timing if it's ignition system is not capable of variable timing? For example, could a change of spark plug or alteration of the magneto sufficiently alter the engine's timing for better, or worse, ignition timing?

Answer

The timing is always referenced to something on the camshaft or the crankshaft. In older engines, and simple modern engines, the timing is controlled by contact "points" that are operated by the camshaft. In newer engines, there is an electronic "pick-up" or "pip counter" that senses "teeth" on the camshaft or crankshaft. If you were to alter the position (angular position, actually) of the pick-up or the points, you would alter the timing on the ignition. If you wanted to implement variable timing in an engine that had fixed timing, there are quite a few ways to do that, but most of them are pretty complicated.