MG Car Repair: Starter motor, maximum advance, needle points

Question
My competition MGB requires a very high 18 degree BTDC as it has a highly modified cylinder head with high compression. The engine idles at 1200 rpm. Getting the starter to turn the engine over can be a problem. Can you offer a solution, please. How do I check the maximum advance.

Answer
Hi Era.

For starting, you have two options.  Either you fit a bigger more powerful battery, or you fit a modern geared starter motor.  If you go racing, I would recommend the latter because it is lighter than the standard starter motor, but they are expensive.

You can check the maximum advance with a good quality stroboscope.  The best ones have a delay facility so you can turn the knob until the needle points to TDC, then read the advance off the scale on the strobe.  Speed up the engine until it will not advance any more, then you have the true maximum advance.