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Master’s in Classic Engines Engineering: Carburation & Ignition — Solex/Weber/SU, Points/Advance, Synchronisation

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in classic engine engineering, carburation and ignition, structured in 12 modules covering carburation principles, Solex, Weber, SU and other period carburettors, contact-breaker ignition, ignition advance, synchronisation and tuning, electronic ignition, modern fuels and emissions compliance, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the physical principles of carburation.

02

Rebuild Solex, Weber and SU carburettors.

03

Tune circuits and jets for each application.

04

Diagnose and overhaul contact-breaker ignition systems.

05

Measure and modify advance curves.

06

Adapt carburation to current fuels.

07

Carry out full tuning of classic engines.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Carburation specialists working on Solex, Weber and SU units.
  • Classic engine mechanics responsible for fuel and ignition systems.
  • Historic engine builders preparing cars for historic competition.
  • Tuning technicians using strobe lamps, gas analysers and wideband lambda.
  • Carburettor restorers rebuilding period units.
  • Test-bench technicians running rolling-road and engine tests.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into classic vehicle restoration.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • EN 228 (specification for unleaded petrol)
  • Real Decreto 892/2013 (Spanish regulation on historic vehicles)
  • Directive 2014/45/EU (periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles)
  • SAE J1349 (engine power test code)
  • DIN 70020 (German standard for engine power measurement)
  • ISO 3104 (petroleum products — determination of kinematic viscosity)
  • Directive 2009/30/EC (specification of petrol and diesel fuels)
  • FIVA Technical Code (technical classification and identification of historic vehicles)
  • Innovate LogWorks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Haltech NSP
  • 123\TUNE+
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1The Venturi effect and depression
  2. 1.2Stoichiometric mixture and lambda
  3. 1.3Mixture requirements by engine speed
  4. 1.4Atomisation and vaporisation
  5. 1.5Carburettor circuits
  6. 1.6Influence of altitude and temperature
  7. 1.7Volumetric efficiency of the engine
  8. 1.8Inlet manifolds
  9. 1.9Distribution between cylinders
  10. 1.10Case study: calculating choke (venturi) size
  1. 2.1History and applications of Solex
  2. 2.2Single-barrel Solex
  3. 2.3Twin-barrel Solex
  4. 2.4Idle circuit
  5. 2.5Accelerator pump
  6. 2.6Manual and automatic choke
  7. 2.7Jets and calibrations
  8. 2.8Disassembly and cleaning
  9. 2.9Float level adjustment
  10. 2.10Workshop: rebuilding a Solex 32 PBIC
  1. 3.1History of Weber
  2. 3.2Horizontal Weber DCOE
  3. 3.3Vertical Weber IDF and IDA
  4. 3.4Weber DGV and DGAV
  5. 3.5Emulsion tubes and mixing tubes
  6. 3.6Progression circuits
  7. 3.7Jet tuning
  8. 3.8Synchronising carburettor banks
  9. 3.9Common problems and their solutions
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: tuning a pair of Weber DCOEs
  1. 4.1The constant-depression principle
  2. 4.2Piston and needle
  3. 4.3Hydraulic piston damper
  4. 4.4Needle selection
  5. 4.5Mixture adjustment
  6. 4.6SU HS and HD
  7. 4.7SU HIF carburettors
  8. 4.8Synchronising multiple SUs
  9. 4.9Rebuilding bodies
  10. 4.10Case study: tuning a pair of SU HS6s
  1. 5.1Zenith and Stromberg
  2. 5.2Dell'Orto car carburettors
  3. 5.3Holley and Carter
  4. 5.4American Rochester carburettors
  5. 5.5Motorcycle carburettors
  6. 5.6Diaphragm carburettors
  7. 5.7Electronically controlled carburettors
  8. 5.8Comparison of designs
  9. 5.9Replacement with equivalents
  10. 5.10Workshop: identifying carburettors in a catalogue
  1. 6.1Principle of inductive ignition
  2. 6.2Coil and condenser
  3. 6.3Distributor
  4. 6.4Contact breakers and dwell angle
  5. 6.5Spark plugs and heat range
  6. 6.6High-tension leads
  7. 6.7Firing order
  8. 6.8Common faults and their diagnosis
  9. 6.9Testing with a multimeter
  10. 6.10Laboratory: measuring the dwell angle
  1. 7.1Why advance is needed
  2. 7.2Centrifugal advance mechanism
  3. 7.3Vacuum advance
  4. 7.4Advance curves
  5. 7.5Measuring with a strobe lamp
  6. 7.6Modifying curves
  7. 7.7Detonation and its prevention
  8. 7.8Influence of the fuel
  9. 7.9Distributors with modified curves
  10. 7.10Practical exercise: plotting an advance curve on a test bench
  1. 8.1Static timing
  2. 8.2Dynamic timing
  3. 8.3Synchronising carburettors
  4. 8.4Vacuum gauges and flow meters
  5. 8.5Exhaust gas analysers
  6. 8.6Wideband lambda sensor
  7. 8.7Idle adjustment
  8. 8.8Rolling-road testing
  9. 8.9Road tuning
  10. 8.10Case study: tuning a six-cylinder engine
  1. 9.1Transistorised ignition
  2. 9.2Hall-effect ignition
  3. 9.3Modules concealed in the distributor
  4. 9.4Capacitive discharge ignition
  5. 9.5High-performance coils
  6. 9.6Programmable-map ignition
  7. 9.7Originality criteria
  8. 9.8Radio interference compatibility
  9. 9.9Comparing reliability between systems
  10. 9.10Workshop: installing a concealed electronic ignition
  1. 10.1Current E5 and E10 petrol
  2. 10.2Volatility and vapour lock
  3. 10.3Effects of ethanol on carburettors
  4. 10.4Ethanol-compatible materials
  5. 10.5Lead additives and substitutes
  6. 10.6Octane rating and detonation
  7. 10.7Fuel storage
  8. 10.8Suitable filtration systems
  9. 10.9Adjustments for current fuels
  10. 10.10Practical exercise: adjusting the mixture for E10 fuel
  1. 11.1Emissions from historic vehicles
  2. 11.2Roadworthiness testing (ITV) of historic vehicles and opacity
  3. 11.3CO and HC control
  4. 11.4Historic vehicle registration rules
  5. 11.5Low-emission zones and classic vehicles
  6. 11.6Permitted modifications to historic vehicles
  7. 11.7Documenting changes
  8. 11.8Ethics of upgrades
  9. 11.9The future of carburettor engines
  10. 11.10Case study: preparing a classic for inspection
  1. 12.1Selecting the engine
  2. 12.2Diagnosing fuel and ignition systems
  3. 12.3Rebuild plan
  4. 12.4Rebuilding the carburettor
  5. 12.5Overhauling the ignition
  6. 12.6Tuning and measurements
  7. 12.7Full documentation of the process
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Innovate LogWorks, Microsoft Excel, Haltech NSP and 123\TUNE+, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: synchronising carburettor banks, plotting advance curves and mixture analysis with a wideband sensor. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: EN 228, Real Decreto 892/2013, Directive 2014/45/EU, SAE J1349, DIN 70020, ISO 3104, Directive 2009/30/EC, FIVA Technical Code.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of EN 228, Real Decreto 892/2013 and Directive 2014/45/EU applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Innovate LogWorks, Microsoft Excel, Haltech NSP and 123\TUNE+, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete carburettor and ignition rebuild and tuning of a classic engine, with documented measurements, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Fuel and ignition diagnosis
Diagnose the fuel and ignition systems of a classic engine and define the rebuild plan.
Carburettor rebuild
Rebuild a Solex, Weber or SU carburettor and set float level and jets.
Ignition overhaul
Overhaul the distributor, measure dwell and plot the advance curve on a bench.
Tuning and measurement
Synchronise and tune the engine using a wideband lambda sensor and adjust for E10 fuel.
Master's Thesis
A complete engine tuning project with documented measurements, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Carburation specialistClassic engine mechanicHistoric engine builderTuning technicianCarburettor restorerTest-bench technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Innovate LogWorks, Microsoft Excel, Haltech NSP and 123\TUNE+, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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