Stu---You are correct in that retarding the timing while cruising can
diminish performance and engine efficiency. However, the line going to
the distributor retard should only pull a vacuum when the engine is
idling, not when cruising. The proper vacuum line to the retard should
come from a port that only sees vacuum when the throttle plate is
closed. Sometimes this port is found on the bottom of the rear
carburetor. If your retard line has vacuum when the engine as your
throttle is opening, it is probably connected to the wrong port.
Dick
Stu wrote:
Timing Questions
I recently discovered that my vacuum retard unit
on my 1976 TR6 is not functioning. From what I've seen here on the list
and from all of the disconnected or plugged ones I've seen on other TRs
at shows, this is not necessarily a bad thing... I'm trying to
understand why one would even want to retard timing at high vacuum
(cruising and idle) situations. I would have guessed it was emissions
related, but retarding should result in a less efficient burning of the
fuel and that doesn't seem to make sense to me either. Can anyone
explain? Thanks! Stu Ehrhardt, Davisburg, MI '76 TR6
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