MTFCA Forum

I'm considering installing either an I or E timer on my crank-start '14. Any comments or advice would be appreciated. Thanks : Bruce

I have an I timer on my 24. Car running perfect, starts easy as well
Need to have a modern seal on the camshaft so no oil gets into the timer

Hello there Bruce... Do you normally use magneto for ignition power... Then the " I " timer would be best. ..... It also runs great on battery power. The " E " timer uses battery power only, but has the better automatic timing advance feature, besides the normal driver operated spark advance/retard. Have you looked at the website for these timers?..... I have used the " E-timer " the past 12 years, but have had no experience with the " I " timer........ Website .... www.modeltetimer.com

E timer for me. The auto advance feature is a dream. Mine performs flawlessly, and has done so since 2016.
I carry a spare Anderson timer as a backup. It is easy to change out on the road if needed.

Allan from down under.

I run the "I timer" but it does not start on Magneto, so you need a battery (I use 6v) to fire the coils, but it hand-cranks just fine on battery (or starter) and will run on magneto after starting.
No timing cover alignment issues to worry about, no roller ware/jumping/lubrication to worry about and to the untrained eye, you would not know it is not a standard timer.

Bruce, Some things to consider before you decide on the E or I Timer.

1. The I timer requires that your coils be Properly adjusted and in good operating condition. As your coils wear they will need servicing over time just like any other coils. The E Timer uses a jumper to bypass and does not require the coils to be properly adjusted. I adjusted mine so they have that buzzing sound like normal with my E Timer.

2. The E Timer has the option for automatic timing advance and retard. You can still operate the timing lever to override but for normal driving it is left at a predetermined position for perfect timing at all RPM's. You can still use the manual mode.

3. We assume that you have no generator now and have a battery maybe for starting and lights and your magneto is working? The E Timer requires a DC battery. Most guys charge their battery from the mag and power the E Timer from the battery or even use a 9V transisitor battery.

I think lots of guys like the E Timer because of the auto timing feature and don't have any issues operating it with from a separate battery. Which ever you choose once you install it you'll be first amazed how well it works and then you'll start to miss those fun times of when you had to clean, sand, oil/grease, and adjust that old timer roller. flapper or brush. Whenever you feel that need you can just look down there and see it's still there and looks just like new from the factory!

I might add that I have a fully rebuilt and adjusted set of coils in my e timer car, just in case I ever need to fit the reserve Anderson timer. It just means I have to disconnect the little thingo used to bypass the points on the coils before I fit the Anderson. I presume the coils will be ready to go.

Allan from down under.

I'd think coils would hold an adjustment indefinitely with the points inoperative and a good modern condenser.

Bruce,

I sometimes do analyses on various subjects in this forum, including those surrounding timers. From that I can say that the responses above are typical, ie. almost everyone is delighted with these electronic timers and few have any issues. From that I think you could expect similar results.

Over time I've also come to learn that the developer/manufacturer of them is thorough in his research and, I believe, careful about production quality and after-sales assistance.

Disclaimer; I don't have either of these myself (built my own design , so my comments are restricted solely to personal interaction with the developer and forum observations, albeit over many years.

Luke.

Hi Bruce,

There are many people out there that switch to either I timer or E timer because they are seeking that perfect ignition timing. I am one of those guys who want perfection and don’t want to be bothered with the maintenance of the old style timers. I installed a brand new Anderson timer & was so dissatisfied with it that I called Mike Kosser to inquire about his electronic timers. I chose to purchase the I timer since it uses the coils as originally designed. Let me tell you, my engine starts very easy on battery of course, runs well on mag, and depending where the engine stops, sometimes will free start. So for the guys who are finding it harder to work on things as we get older, the electronic timer is certainly worth considering.

Hello Bruce,

I have installed about a dozen iTimers and run one myself. Zero issues and all happy owners. Set it and forget it! No maintenance required so you get a little spoiled.

For people on the fence I typically ask them to count how many old timers they have in a box somewhere, most people have already paid for an iTimer in the form of other timers that wear out.

It will most likely be the last timer you buy.

If you have a working magneto use an iTimer if your mag has issues and you don’t want to pull the engine to repair it use the eTimer.

Good luck!

David
Williamston T Works

Thanks for all the great comments and advice. I'm trying to buy the E-Timer on the swap site.

I use my E-Timer with the coil points active, but they are all set up for equal time to fire. I also drive with the timing set to manual, simply because it's what I'm used to, and for the 'correct' driving experience. Having said that, the automatic timing does work extremely well. The most noticeable aspect of driving with the E-Timer is the improved low end torque, which mean less low gear use. Needless to say the engine runs smoother over the full rev range. The cylinder to cylinder timing is also not dependent on the manufacturing accuracy of a mechanical timer (particularly important for those who run on battery only). While I have had very good results from some mechanical timers, the E/I Timers retain that 'new timer' performance forever.
I have also installed an I-Timer in a friend's car (with a magneto) with equally good results. It also works on battery just as well as an E-Timer from what I can tell.

Add one to the iTimer satisfied customer list. It works very well for me as I have a non-starter 1914 car with only an auxiliary battery (Dewalt tool battery) for turn signals, brake lights, and powering the coils during crank start. It's been working for three full touring seasons. I carry a standard roller timer for backup. I had a problem once that I thought might be the iTimer. The ignition was cutting in and out under load. I conferred over the telephone with Mike (the designer and vendor of the iTimer) and after a long discussion we decided was likely the ignition switch. Turns out it was! The copper in the switch had become soft from a 110 years of cleaning and bending the contacts. Under load and high vibration the switch would sometime lose connectivity to the coils. I replaced the switch with the available new reproduction and no issue anymore. The fact that Mike spent the time talking it out with me was very telling. Great guy with an interesting career in electronics. We subsequently had a nice visit at Hershey. I'll be buying another iTimer for my recently acquired 26 roadster. FYI, I also have the ECCT that Mike sells. It keeps my primary set of coils and spares working perfectly. The only issue I've had with my rebuilt coils is again a vibration issue. A couple times the nuts on the coils have come loose. Now I check them frequently.

Icleeton .... Keep up the good work and you can help others with your ecct to help with equal firing coils