During internal timing of a magneto, which conditions must be satisfied?

During internal timing of a magneto, which conditions must be satisfied?

• A. Breaker points must be aligned with TDC.
• B. Breaker points open at the instant the rotating magnet is in its E-gap position, and the distributor rotor is positioned to direct high voltage to cylinder number one.
• C. The rotor must be pointing to cylinder four.
• D. The ignition switch must be On.

Answer: (B)

Internal timing for a magneto hinges on synchronizing the moment the breaker points open with the reference position of the rotating magnet, and ensuring the spark is directed to the first cylinder at the correct instant. The points must open when the rotating magnet is in its E-gap position, which provides the precise timing reference inside the magneto. At that same moment, the distributor rotor has to be aligned so the high voltage is sent to cylinder number one. This combination makes sure the first cylinder fires at the correct point in the cycle. The other options aren’t correct because aligning points with a piston at TDC isn’t the timing reference used inside the magneto, directing spark to cylinder four would misaddress the firing order, and while the ignition switch being On is necessary for operation, it isn’t part of establishing the internal timing.

Internal timing for a magneto hinges on synchronizing the moment the breaker points open with the reference position of the rotating magnet, and ensuring the spark is directed to the first cylinder at the correct instant. The points must open when the rotating magnet is in its E-gap position, which provides the precise timing reference inside the magneto. At that same moment, the distributor rotor has to be aligned so the high voltage is sent to cylinder number one. This combination makes sure the first cylinder fires at the correct point in the cycle. The other options aren’t correct because aligning points with a piston at TDC isn’t the timing reference used inside the magneto, directing spark to cylinder four would misaddress the firing order, and while the ignition switch being On is necessary for operation, it isn’t part of establishing the internal timing.