Re: Timing Questions
Timing is important to achieve maximum power and fuel efficiency. The fuel mixture burns at a set rate regardless of RPM. It's all about the relationship between the speed of the piston as it reaches TDC (top dead center), and the rate that the fuel burns. What you are trying to achieve is maximum controlled pressure in the combustion chamber to push the piston down. Since the fuel always burns at the same rate regardless of RPM, you have to start the combustion process sooner as the RPM's increase (piston moves towards TDC quicker). As you increase RPM's, the more you have to advance the timing. Too much advance timing, or timing too retarded will not create maximum controlled pressure in the cylinder to push down on the piston. Too much advance timing will also often result in a burnt piston, detonation, large uncontrolled spikes in pressure that blows head gaskets etc.
