Joe, Dont rule out the timing light as the problem. A couple of drops
will throw the light way off.. Ask me how I know. John Mitchell 76 TR6
>I know this has been beaten to death, but...what should the timing be at idle
>(850rpms) with both the vaccum advance and retard plugged at the distributor.
> I've tried to set the timing using a light, but I'm having some real
>problems. I can't even begin to approach the correct settings. Using a
>timing
>light, the numbers are way off...I wonder if I've installed the the electical
>eye
>on my electronic ignition incorrectly. I've also considered that the two
>pieces of the harmonic balancer have moved, thus giving me incorrect numbers.
>I've
>resorted to the old fashioned method. I've adjusted the timing by retarding
>the timing a little just at the point that the motor begins to ping under
>load. The car runs well this way, but given the performance mods I've made, I
>was
>hoping for more power...thus my attempts to optimize the timing issue. When
>the distributor is set for the best performance, the car "runs on"
>occasionally, and the starter sometimes hesitates momentarily when I start the
>car from
>cold. I assume this is a symptom of too much advance? If I retard it
>slightly, these two problems go away, but performance suffers, especially at
>high
>rpms. I don't want to put a hole in a piston, or hammer any bearings. I
>understand that pre-ignition can occur with little warning signs. Any
>suggestions?
>The car is a 71 with 9.5:1 compression, roller rockers, GP2 cam, headers and
>XR700 ignition. Did I say that neither the vacuum advance nor retard work?
>Joe Davis
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