Post by Penguin45 on Jul 9, 2015 16:16:57 GMT
I haven't done a book review since "A" levels at school, so I hope this doesn't come over as gibberish!
Ignition and Timing - A guide to rebuilding, repair and replacement.
Author - Colin Beever.
Publisher - Crowood Press Ltd - www.crowood.com
ISBN 978 1 84797 973 5
Price - £14.99
I suppose it is quite well known to those reading the forum that timing and igniton in general is my blind-spot. There are several threads outlining my various battles over the years. I have got better - two years at college has imprinted the basics permanently between the ears, but I still lack an intuitive feel for the subject. What I need is a step-by-step guide with plenty of illustrations of the basics, improvements, repairs and, dare I say it, electronic upgrades. Surprise, surprise - this book is just that.
100 pages in a sub-A4 format, with plenty of full colour pictures and illustrations, this is actually quite an engaging read. Starting with a history guide detailing the evolution of ignition through to the distributor and then detailing the development of that fiendish piece of equipment in some detail, Beever goes on to look at maintenance, spark plugs and leads, fault finding, timing, modification and electronics. He closes with a useful appendix and glossary of terms and some handy contacts.
He has a very clear and simple style, which means that his explanations, even the most basic, are understandable, yet I didn't feel that I was being talked down to.
If I have any criticism, it is the close focus on Lucas products. Not really a problem for us BMC/BL fans, but it could be an issue to followers of other marques. The Modification and Competition chapter had my hopes up as I seek that extra 10bhp, but it is limited to an overview of performance distributors, coils and associated parts.
I'd give it 8½ out of 10 as a learning guide and source of basics. Those with "The Knowledge" may find it a little shallow. Personally, I consider it £15 well spent.
Chris.
Ignition and Timing - A guide to rebuilding, repair and replacement.
Author - Colin Beever.
Publisher - Crowood Press Ltd - www.crowood.com
ISBN 978 1 84797 973 5
Price - £14.99
I suppose it is quite well known to those reading the forum that timing and igniton in general is my blind-spot. There are several threads outlining my various battles over the years. I have got better - two years at college has imprinted the basics permanently between the ears, but I still lack an intuitive feel for the subject. What I need is a step-by-step guide with plenty of illustrations of the basics, improvements, repairs and, dare I say it, electronic upgrades. Surprise, surprise - this book is just that.
100 pages in a sub-A4 format, with plenty of full colour pictures and illustrations, this is actually quite an engaging read. Starting with a history guide detailing the evolution of ignition through to the distributor and then detailing the development of that fiendish piece of equipment in some detail, Beever goes on to look at maintenance, spark plugs and leads, fault finding, timing, modification and electronics. He closes with a useful appendix and glossary of terms and some handy contacts.
He has a very clear and simple style, which means that his explanations, even the most basic, are understandable, yet I didn't feel that I was being talked down to.
If I have any criticism, it is the close focus on Lucas products. Not really a problem for us BMC/BL fans, but it could be an issue to followers of other marques. The Modification and Competition chapter had my hopes up as I seek that extra 10bhp, but it is limited to an overview of performance distributors, coils and associated parts.
I'd give it 8½ out of 10 as a learning guide and source of basics. Those with "The Knowledge" may find it a little shallow. Personally, I consider it £15 well spent.
Chris.