P-mags, Got it.
I suggest checking with the folks who make P-mags, see what they have to say.
Increasing spark advance can,
theoretically give more power/better fuel consumption. At certain RPM, and loads, that is.
Big rub is what does it do the rest of the time.
Understanding how advancing the timing will help understand the side effects.
First, the way to get more power is all about pushing down on the piston with more force, (and to a lesser quantity, for a longer time)------AND, doing so at the
correct time. Push too hard too soon, and really bad things happen, bent rod, cracked piston, etc. This can come from too much advance in the spark, or from pre-ignition. Too soon------the timing is measured in degrees BTDC-----Before Top Dead Center, this is degrees of crankshaft rotation before the piston gets to the top. You are actually pushing the piston in the wrong direction, but it is such a little push it doesnt hurt things. Actually helps develop proper cylinder pressure at the correct time in the piston movement/crank rotation.
As you go up in the air, the air gets thinner, which causes a loss of power----DUH, aviation 101. What happens is there is less air to fill the cylinders, and then when the plug fires the lesser volume of air/fuel creates less less pressure on the piston. Advancing the timing allows a longer time for the fuel/air to expand, and thus a little harder push on the piston. Also, a less dense charge burns slower------
The idea here it to achieve optimum cylinder pressure at the correct time of the crank rotation. Ballpark is easy, optimum is hard, and can be dangerous if you miss it
Nutshell explanation, but enough for this discussion.
Now, do the same advance down low, where there is more air density, and things can get a bit harry
Remember the BTDC is before the piston starts going the way we want to push it. When we are closer to sea level, we get more fuel/air in the cylinder, and a better burning of that mixture, than when we are at altitude. And, a faster burning mixture. So, too much advance will actually hurt performance, and your engine also.
O.K., lots of electrons were hurt explaining this ------- and if you were already aware of it all, I apologize for getting a bit wordy.
So, to get back to the question, if advance can be controlled to only occur at the right conditions, and in the right amount, then yes, you should see increased efficiency.
Do the P-mags control advance with RPM, and MP?? if you change the advance to 39* will it change the static timing? How much is the advance currently set at???
My poor finger is getting tired from all this typing
