On the subject of ignition timing there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

I think the big thing is what the total advance is. Checking the timing at idle is more of a reference point than an absolute. If I remember correctly the distrubutor reaches full advance around 2500 rpm, maybe a little higher. Full advance is usually in the 32 to 34 degree range.

I have always used the timing light to get in the ball park but did the final fine timing adjustments by ear. Basically did full power runs up a steep hill by my house. Advance the timing a small amount at a time untill you start to get some pinging. back off the timing enough to stop the pinging and call it set! After this procedure measure the timing at the specified idle speed and note what the setting is.

If you get pinging at low rpm only the springs in the distributor may have weakened and are allowing the mechanical advance to kick in too soon.

Hope this helps

Gary

Cool! Welcome to the club (from someone who just joined too).

Tell me more about the fuel injected 1500! This is one of the things I've wanted to do for years but didn't know if the induction system was available. I don't think that any injected A series motors made it to the US.

Gary

Hi,

According to my 1971 factory service manual the weight of the US spec 1200's are 1,609 lbs (730Kg) for the coupe and 1,587 lbs (720Kg) for the sedan.

No matter how you cut it, 1200's make damn fine race cars!

One of the fun things about setting up a rally car is the need to remain street legal. Lots of fun driving around town in a race preped car with full roll cage and 5 point harnesses!

Enjoy!

Gary

10 years ago I did some research looking for a good engine to swap into a 1200. The choice I made and gathered up most of the parts for was a CA20. The overall lenght was pretty much the same as the 1200 motor. The weight difference was very small.


My thought at the time was you could get the CA20 or the CA18 turbo. In the state of tune that was offered in the US there was hardly any difference in power between the 2 versions. Seemed to me like a lot of extra hardware for the lack of real power gain for the turbo version. When it comes to tweaking for more power the turbo might have the advantage though.

Never got to do the swap though. Things in the priorities in life changed. Now I'm ready to start playing again...

I'll have to start the research again now that will soon have a 1200! Need to look into the newer motors that have come out since last time I was looking...


Gary

Just found this forum. Pretty cool!

I got my first exposure to 1200's in 1980. My girl friend who was soon to be my wife bought it. I was already autocrossing a Honda Accord and found the 1200 was a much better race car.

We autocrossed that car for 10 years untill it met it's end on an icy road. We also built a rally car and raced in the SCCA pro rally divisonal series in the middle '80's. That was the most fun I ever had racing cars!

Have had several more since then but have been without a 1200 for close to 7 years now.

I'll be picking up a 1200 sedan on Saturday! Can't wait... Must be my midlife chrisis exerting itself!

Gary