E16SE ignition system (timing, dizzy, bottom pulley)

[Curtoise]

right, so my situation is that my e16se refuses to stop pinking. im literally running out of things to try
below is a list of what i have done to date :

Re-set timing with strobe light
Changed dizzy
Changed ignition ecu
Re-earthed the eaths and added a gearbox to chassis one
had the CO set up using emissions tester
changed spark plugs to NGK (have also tried vauxhall reccomended ones)

It has been pinking since i put the engine in the car. i originally thought the reason for this was that the head had been skimmed drastically causing a high compression ratio. i replaced the head for a low mileage one which has not been skimmed.

now you probably think at this stage that it is just a rattle and not actually pinking, i have been around many many garages who have road tested to diagnose it as pre detonation.

It does it under load at between 1500-300 RPM

now i have just discoverd that my engine is running a corsa alternator and a corsa bottom pulley as it has a relucter ring for a crank sensor which the e16se does not run.

i have found 2 timing marks on the pulley the larger one is the one present when using a strobe and i can get it inline with the mark on the cambelt casing.....

im not 100% on these timing marks as they have been drawn on so below are some pictures to help illustrate what i mean:



small timing mark:



large timing mark which matches with the cam case marker:




this is the dizzy that came on it, however the ballance weights were knackerd which caused the car to jerk about.



this is the dizzy i have put on today which has solved the jerkyness and runs fine:



sorry about the essay but im becoming to belive it is simply witchcraft causing it to pink!

[Graeme]

Have you had it on diagnostics? Have you changed the knock sensor?

[Curtoise]

have not changed the knock sensor, but am i right in thinking it would retard the ignition?
had it on a modis it came up with ron signal weak. so i replaced the ron plug for another and now it is fine

[Graeme]

If its knocking then it needs retarding doesn't it?

[John]

Ignore all painted timing marks and use the factory timing marks.

[Curtoise]

will the timing marks be correct even though its a corsa pulley ?

[Graeme]

Take the corsa pulley off and use the one on the cam belt pulley and the sump

[Adam]

As above, use the permanent stamped cam pully and crank sprocket marks

[gazsnova]

agreed with the above messages, when you set the ignition timing did you set it to 10 degrees btdc. or advance the strobe by 10?

[mowgli]

you take the throttle switch plug off & bridge the terminals with 2 split pins. this equates to 10deg, you must then retard it to cope with unleaded by about 4deg...