Figuring out the Electronic Ignition

Gee, no posts for a month. You'd think I wasn't doing anything. Actually, I've been stymied by the engine. The general symptom has been that I can't get full RPM. Before I started this conversion, I was getting 2,300 static RPM - now I can only get around 2,100, and it's rough.

Yesterday, I finally narrowed it down. The problem is definitely with my electronic ignition, and most likely my installation portion of it.

Yesterday, I ran the engine again, but this time I hooked up an automotive timing light to the #1 spark plug lead and kept the light in the cockpit to closely watch the flash and see what it was telling me. At low RPMs, idle through about 1,500, the flashes were nice and steady - just like when I did the Mode 8 check with the engine off.

However, as I started to raise the throttle, the flashes became intermittent.? It's as plain as day and I don't' know why it took me this long to see it. The faster the engine ran, the worse it got.

When I retarded the throttle, as I came back down to the 1,500 range the flashes on the timing light became nice and smooth again. So, now all I have to figure out, is why this is happening.

I still think there may be trouble in my 6" trigger wheel/sensor installation - possibly picking up noise from the crankshaft flange and prop bolt lugs. Lynn French's engine is down right now and he is kindly lending me his 7" trigger wheel and mount, and they should be here soon. Swapping those parts should quickly confirm or disprove that installation issue.