> Let's just say that right about now I am ready to throw a large hammer
> through the windshield...Scenario...1967 MkII, 1500 engine, Stromberg
> Carb(single150cdse), brand new starter, brand new coil, new points,
> condensor, plugs, wires, carb rebuilt...150 pounds of compression on all
> etc...
Tom,
It sounds like you need to begin at the beginning to get this thing sorted
out. It is possible that the distributor driveshaft is improperly
installed. The following is the method I have used to install it
properly. It is straight out of the Haynes Spitfire Manual (which you
should buy if you haven't already!). It assumes that the distributor has
not yet been installed (i.e. the distributor along with its base is
removed from the block). My comments are [enclosed], typos are mine, run
on sentences are theirs:
1) It is important to fit the distributor drive correctly, otherwise the
ignition timing will be totally wrong. It is easy to set the driveshaft
in apparently the right position but in fact exactly 180 degrees out, by
not working on the correct cylinder, which must not only be at TDC but
also at the end of compression and the start of the power stroke with
both valves closed. [.....]
2) Rotate the crankshaft so that No1 piston is at TDC at the start of
the power stroke. This is when the inlet valve on No. 4 cylinder is just
opening and the exhaust valve just closing, or when the [cam] sprocket
timing marks are aligned [timing cover must be removed to see this].
3) [... stuff about end float adjustment]
4) [Fit the distributor drive shaft]. This must be done so that, in
addition to engaging the oil pump drive spindle, the offset slot in the
top of the driveshaft is in the position shown when fully engaged with
the camshaft skew gear [I HATE doing ascii art]:
Breaker type distributor: Breakerless distributor:
______ ______
- - - x -
- x - - x -
- x - - x -
- x - - x -
- x - - x -
- - - x -
-------- --------
[Sorry for the poor drawings. -- outline where the dist. drive goes into
the block. x is the slot of the distributor drive. Remember that the
slot is cut in the drive with an offset. With the breaker type
distributor, the offset is towards the top of the drawing, and with the
breakerless, the offset is towards the left.]
As the driveshaft turns every time it is fitted or removed [as it engages
the camshaft gear], in order to arrive at the correct final position,
several attempts at pre-positioning the shaft before fitting it may be
necessary on a trial-and-error basis. On completion, check that the oil
pump spindle is engaged with the driveshaft.
5) Fit the gasket of the required thickness to achieve the specified
driveshaft endfloat and then fit the distributor pedestal and its two
nuts and washers.
6) Lubricate the distributor driveshaft with clean engine oil and then
fit the distributor to the pedestal, aligning the drive with the
driveshaft and securing the clamp plate with the nut, bolt, and washer.
End quoted material. From here, set the static timing as has been
described by others and it _should_ go if you have the other 2 necessary
ingredients!
I have done this on three engines and it has worked the first time, each
time.
Good luck,
Mike
mburdick@unmc.edu
'70 Spit Mk3
'75 Spit 1500 w/1296
|