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won't idle, run rough, I've stuffed up the timing!
Purple Martin - November 27th, 2011 at 12:53 PM

Hi,
I've tried resetting the timing and I've obviously stuffed it up, because now the car won't idle and runs very roughly at revs. It's a 1600 with a 34PICT3 carb and a SVDA dizzy.
I've tried setting the static timing to 7.5, and it won't idle.
I've tried setting the 3500rpm timing to 30 (vacuum tube off and plugged), and it won't idle.
I've taken out the idle jet and looked at it, it's not blocked.
What am I doing wrong?


68AutoBug - November 27th, 2011 at 01:32 PM

Hi
Did You change any spark plug leads etc??
same distributor cap?
same points or new points?? Gap incorrect??

BUT...

check out the choke flap in the carby. is it OPEN
or closed over??

maybe the choke power wire has come off??
which would result in a very choked carby..

ALL the time..


You can loosen the 3 screws and turn the choke body so
the choke flap is open when you look down the throat of the carby..

You did time the distributor with a strobe lamp on number ONE cylinder?? [7.5 BTDC is OK]

didn't get the wires or cylinder wrong??

didn't change the distributor without changing the cap??

[I tried that once YIKES]

some dissies and caps are NOT interchangeable without changing the wires


Let Me know what You changed or moved

it sounds too much out of tune to adjust normally??

LEE



TIMING: 1432 --TOP OF DISTRIBUTOR CAP [clockwise]
1-2-3-4 [anti clockwise]

LEE


kaiisons - November 27th, 2011 at 02:01 PM

i bet if you've taken the leads on you have put them back on in the wrong order. look for the notch on the rim of the distributor that is number 1 plug place. them from there it is 432 clockwise


Purple Martin - November 27th, 2011 at 08:40 PM

Haven't taken any leads off so they must be still in the right order. Yes I'm timing on number one cylinder. Same dizzy, cap, rotor, points. Choke wire is attached, and choke is working.

Things I have changed: adjusted all valves to .006", adjusted points gap to .016" (it was .000 before!), I have also put in an electric fuel pump and bypassed the old mechanical fuel pump (which is why I thought to check the idle jet in case some dirt got dislodged, but I can't see any sign of blockage there).


Purple Martin - December 3rd, 2011 at 09:42 PM

I tracked down the problem eventually: the HT lead was loose at the coil end (I must have knocked it). It was still attached by the rubber seal part, but the inner metal bit was not quite on. Once I got that pushed on properly, the engine immediately ran like a dream! I feel a bit dumb, but mainly I'm just glad it's sorted.