BMW 1978 320i, ignition timing wanders, replace?

[park5]

I have a 1978, 49 states emissions, 2.0L, 4spd, 320i. When I check the ignition timing it seems to drift around more than I am used to seeing on other cars. I assume this is because the distributer is worn. What are my options to fix this?

Is there an electronic ignition setup that I could swap in from a later model?

Is there an aftermarket performance high voltage ignition system available? I have looked on the web, but most aftermarket seems to be geared to later model BMWs.

Another question, is it best to use the factory setting or to run it slightly more advanced?

Any information appreciated
Thanks.

[mr edd]

later cars had eletronic ignition but the dizzy is driven the opposite way by the cam ...to fit a later dizzy you also would have to swap the cam to suit...if the centre shaft on your dizzy has movement up and down it can alter the timeing slightly as the shaft lifts and falls...have you tryed disconnecting the vacuum pipes temporary to see if the timeing still wanders as it could be something as simple as a leaking vacuum pipe...edd..

[park5]

I did disconect the vacume hoses, but it didn't have an effect. Is the up and down play a problem with the distributer or ware in the gears between it and the cam?

Do you know if any one sells an after market electonic ignition or a kit?

[PK]

can you get mega squirt for 320i 's?

could be your centrefugal advance is malfunctioning also?

If the problem starts to bug you (mine did, i had to replace the dizzy) mark the posistion of your dizzy on the bracket its bolted into and the posistion of the star wheel under the cap. then extract your dizzy. check it for play on the shaft, if it seems within reasonable tolerance you could disassemble it and check for other problem components e.g. sticky centrefugal

I would be able to give you a lovely link to a lovely how too on bimmerforums... However, someone robbed my laptop and i can't find it now..

Good luck . P