Impromptu Overhaul

[GregH]

ok, recleaned the carb and did the Dizzy alignment trick as mentioned in the thread Neil linked to and started with the carb needle adjustment at 1 full turn out. Currently it is idling non-stop at about 800 RPM. It varies about the 800 mark by about 50 rpm on each side, but sounds smooth to me.

Marked the roll pin for use with the timing light and though the picture below is not when the engine is turning, this shows the approx. location of the pin in the timing light when set to 0 degrees (maybe a little more clockwise of current location). I am going to have to go back and reread all about dwell time and 17 degrees BTDC and 34 degrees that's been discussed before here as I am not sure if what is showing up at idle is good or not.

There is still some minor distributor adjustments to make at idle but I only have two hands currently.

Thoughts?

[sastanley]

which one?

So, was it the carb rebuild or the timing adjustment that made it idle? When you do two things at once, you can't tell which adjustment did it. When down to fine troubleshooting, it is important to change ONE thing at a time. This is a lesson I learned from other members of this forum long ago.

edit - glad you got it idling below 1,200 in any case.

[ndutton]

Marked the roll pin for use with the timing light and though the picture below is not when the engine is turning, this shows the approx. location of the pin in the timing light when set to 0 degrees** (maybe a little more clockwise of current location).

**At what RPM? Idle or ~1800?

[GregH]

So, was it the carb rebuild or the timing adjustment that made it idle? When you do two things at once, you can't tell which adjustment did it. When down to fine troubleshooting, it is important to change ONE thing at a time. This is a lesson I learned from other members of this forum long ago.

edit - glad you got it idling below 1,200 in any case.

Very true about too many things. the distributor I rotated a couple mm, but the carb was the main culprit - a couple very tiny flecks of something when the jet was removed and cleaned.

[GregH]

**At what RPM? Idle or ~1800?

this was at 800 Idle

[ndutton]

this was at 800 Idle

Well then, unless I'm completely misunderstanding the position description, you're way too advanced still.

[GregH]

Well then, unless I'm completely misunderstanding the position description, you're way too advanced still.

Had a look an recheck last evening making sure I was at TDC.

- The Rotor was pointing away from the block as per the "factory setting"
- Rotated the plate until the tab was in-line with the rotor

This is how it was set up but the tab was more counter clockwise for the pervious running. How much of a rotation can affect the timing as I have not done this before?

I noticed last night that when the tab on the plate is aligned with the rotor, the points are just closing. Reading in the forum this morning, it was saying that the points should just be OPENING at this position.

Can someone clarify? Or what I should be checking?

[ndutton]

- Rotated the plate until the tab was in-line with the rotor

Trying to understand to hopefully offer meaningful suggestions. Please describe in detail how you "rotated the plate."

[GregH]

Sorry for my not clear descriptions.

Went back last evening and after getting TDC as per Don's video and after watching another YouTube video about adjusting the points and alignment until it just sparks, I checked what I had set and adjusted.

Ran the engine and it idles well. With the strobe, the timing mark on the roll pin was sitting just to the right of indicator notch on the cover plate. Don't know the exact angle.

Idle video https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Fp1wIHKk3rg

Some Neutral transmission zone work to do.

[ndutton]

Sorry but that doesn't address my question. However, one thing is clear to me:

With the strobe, the timing mark on the roll pin was sitting just to the right of indicator notch on the cover plate. Don't know the exact angle.

The roll pin timing mark with a timing light set on 0° should be exactly aligned with the cover plate notch. You still need to rotate the distributor body - - - not the points plate - - - a little more clockwise.

[GregH]

Sorry but that doesn't address my question. However, one thing is clear to me:
The roll pin timing mark with a timing light set on 0° should be exactly aligned with the cover plate notch. You still need to rotate the distributor body - - - not the points plate - - - a little more clockwise.

More rotation clockwise- got it.

Sorry.. turning the body is what I meant in the previous posts.

[ndutton]

. . . turning the body is what I meant in the previous posts.

Thanks, I was hoping so.

[GregH]

- - - a little more clockwise.

2-3mm more clockwise set it right.

[ndutton]

2-3mm more clockwise set it right.

Have you tried adjusting the idle lower afterwards?

[GregH]

Have you tried adjusting the idle lower afterwards?

The idle dropped about 100 rpm as I did it to about 650-700.