What describes the E-gap position in a magneto?

What describes the E-gap position in a magneto?

• A. Just a few degrees beyond the neutral position
• B. Exactly at the neutral position
• C. A full rotation away from neutral
• D. At the point of maximum current

Answer: (A)

The E-gap describes a specific timing window in the magneto: it’s the small angular distance after the neutral position where the breaker points begin to open and the spark is generated as the magnetic field collapses. That’s why it’s described as just a few degrees beyond neutral. This slight advance places the ignition timing in the right part of the cycle for efficient combustion. Timing at neutral would mean no ignition cue yet, and a full rotation away would place the spark far from the proper ignition point. The spark occurs during interruption of the current, not at the moment of maximum current, so being at maximum current isn’t where the E-gap is.

The E-gap describes a specific timing window in the magneto: it’s the small angular distance after the neutral position where the breaker points begin to open and the spark is generated as the magnetic field collapses. That’s why it’s described as just a few degrees beyond neutral. This slight advance places the ignition timing in the right part of the cycle for efficient combustion. Timing at neutral would mean no ignition cue yet, and a full rotation away would place the spark far from the proper ignition point. The spark occurs during interruption of the current, not at the moment of maximum current, so being at maximum current isn’t where the E-gap is.