Ron67Alpine
Silver Level Sponsor
Um, isn't the valve cover insulated from the motor, by the gasket? When grounding the plug, to determing spark, I usually use the frame or a good place on the motor.
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Um, isn't the valve cover insulated from the motor, by the gasket? When grounding the plug, to determing spark, I usually use the frame or a good place on the motor.
Thanks - I'll try that in the morning.
The valve cover does sit on a thick cork gasket but I has assumed it was grounded via the studs/washers/nuts fastening it to the block.
Allan
good point, I didn't think of the bolts grounding it. I had a hell of a problem figuring out a non spark issue, it turned out the insulator on the set of NEW points was no good, and was grounding.
Allan, as a SWAG, you have set the carbs to lean and compensated by opening the throttles. Try richening each carb a 1/4 turn, see what happens. If I'm right, the idle speed will increase. If it does, lower the speed with the throttle plate adjustment and see how it runs.
As for the funky starter action, I think Nick is correct about the timing being too fast.
Bill
Allan, the surging you describe is typical of a lean condition. Give them another 1/4 turn.
As to the direction of dizzy movement, I don't know the specifics of the Alpine dizzy. Just move it in the direction the rotor moves. That will retard the spark.
Bill
Yeah, that should work. Just don't make any radical changes and do the same to each one. Have you put the timing light on it? May trying pulling the vacuum line to the dizzy while its running, see what happens. Keep the line plugged, though. Where are you getting the vacuum for the dizzy?
Bill
More or less.
As you have discovered, excessive advance can cause erratic idle. Manifold vacuum to the dizzy can cause this, so we need to be sure that is not part of the problem. So lets do this: Set the advance in the 6-10 degree range, with engine running at tickover and the vacuum line unhooked and plugged. Then, hookup the vacuum line. The Zeniths have port vacuum so the timing should advance only a few degrees or perhaps none. If it advances 10 or more degrees, there is a problem. Rev the engine while watching the advance. At low to moderate speeds, the timing should dance around, more dependant upon throttle setting than rpm or engine vacuum.
Just making sure everything is operating correctly.
Bill
Alan,
You shouldnt have vacuum on the advance port at idle.
This says your throttle is opened into the progression circuit of your carb and the vacuum port orifices are unblocked by the throttle plate.
Not sure if you are saying this, its worth a check if you havnt.
I'll guess that to mean the vacuum gauge should read zero at idle with the vacuum line between the distributor and front Zenith WIP removed ??
Allan