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Re: [Tigers] Timing deviates - advice needed

To: "'Gary Pointer'" <gpointer@telusplanet.net>, <tigers@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Timing deviates - advice needed
From: "A. C. Tynes" <v8tracker@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:17:27 -0500
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Gary,

If you have access to or can borrow another distributor from someone, I would
suggest swapping distributors (including rotor, condenser and cap) to try and
isolate the problem to the distributor. 

Also, is it possible that the little plastic thingy that rides on the
distributor shaft to open/close the points is loose on one set of points?

Is it possible that the plate on which the points are mounted is loose and
shifting or wobbling or that the shaft bushing in the distributor is worn and
allowing the shaft to wobble?

Have you carefully checked the cap for cracks or carbon traces?  

All wires to and in the distributor tight and not grounding accidentally?

Is the rotor making good contact with the center post on the cap?

Just brainstorming.

HTH,
A. C. Tynes
New Orleans
 
-----Original Message-----
From: tigers-bounces@autox.team.net [mailto:tigers-bounces@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of Gary Pointer
Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 8:58 PM
To: tigers@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Tigers] Timing deviates - advice needed

WOW! Six people replied within an hour or two.
Took longer to get medical attention after my recent snowmobile accident!
 
Thanks for all of your replies and subsequent dialogue.
I'm stubbornly hanging on to the dual point setup vs electronic, for
historical purposes (OK, it's not a LAT20 Ford dual point, but close) and
seems to be a point of interest to folks at cruises, etc.
 
Per Mayf's suggestion, relaying here steps taken to date, and symptoms. So
pardon the length, but here's the full chapter:
 

Ran fine when parked. Got quite warm due to construction. ~220.

On next start, ran extremely rough. Barely running. Could not increase the
RPMs via throttle pumping. Ended with a backfire.

Found the distributor lock nut loose. Tried various distributor positions
lock-to-lock, with differing results but still very poor running. Always
started though.

Actions taken:

-Replaced fuel pump (was about time anyhow) & filter

- cleared fuel lines (via forced air from tank, and from carb fitting back)
. 

- checked fuel flow (fuel line removed).

No improvement.

(Buddy comes over a month later):

- Started/rough/quit. Adjusted distributor.

- Started/rough (not as rough) quit. Adjusted distrib the other direction.

- Started and within seconds, ran very well!

- Set timing and points.

- Stopped/started many times, no problem.

(Next time out):

Started, same result as before. Running extremely poorly.

(Mechanic buddy comes over):

- Removed float bowls; checked carb thoroughly.

- Confirmed good fuel delivery, and spark.

- Check (visual) points condition and rotor condition and ensuring it seats
firmly without play.

 

- Adjusts the distributor and it runs fairly well. But even at full lock,
still short a few degrees of timing.

- Removed distributor. General mechanical inspection of distributor. All
teeth on shaft appear fine. Visual inspection of cam gear while slowly
rotating crank manually; looks fine. (Forgot to relay this in my 1st post).

- Re-installed the distrib, but moved it over one tooth (so we could set the
proper timing). Set timing, points, adjusted carb. Running REALLY well.
Stopped/started several times. Noted though that had some odd dwell readings
and took several attempts at the secondary point setting to get the
(combined) dwell right.

(Next outing):

- Started. Running very rough. Able to increase RPM abit, but very rough and
ended with a backfire. Moved distrib to full lock (the other direction from
before) and runs well but not proper. Timing still out.

- Moved distr (via shifting wires) one position to get the timing right
(essentially undid the shifting over of the distr gear done previously). Ran
perfectly.

- While driving, within a few minutes, began running poorly. Checked timing;
no problem there.

- When revving slightly in garage, had a backfire then ran fine.

- Within a block, started running very poorly again.

- On restart at destination, ran better, not perfect.

Next out: 

- Ran very poor (i.e. As with before, poor results when starting; was not
like that when last shut off). Adjusted timing, but had to shift the wires
back THE OTHER DIRECTION to get the necessary degrees.

Had a few outings after that, no better, no worse. Then when setting out to
move it to it's winter storage, would not start at all, despite moving the
distributor various ways. One big backfire is all it mustered. Covered it up
for the winter.
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