sorting out Charlotte mechanic

[psg]

Does anyone know of a mechanic in the Charlotte NC region that would be good at sorting out a recently rebuilt 78 spider? I have it starting and idling but no real power so I need someone who can look at it from the carb to the distributor to the cam shims.

[bobplyler]

Try Gary Baucom at Sports Car Authority (704) 847-7742

[124JOE]

Does anyone know of a mechanic in the Charlotte NC region that would be good at sorting out a recently rebuilt 78 spider? I have it starting and idling but no real power so I need someone who can look at it from the carb to the distributor to the cam shims.

make a mark at the bottom of the dis to start
lossen the dis and time it by ear "make it faster"then lower your idle at the screw
that wil pep it up
just dont go too far.but play with it

[psg]

do you mean the screw at the bottom of the carb or the linkage? and previous post thanks for the name...what can you tell me about his shop?

[124JOE]

the linkage
thats the idle screw the one at the base is the mixture screw

[mdrburchette]

The Baucoms are noted for successfully racing Fiats in SCCA for several years and know our cars inside and out. Although I've never taken my car to them, I wouldn't hesitate if needed.
It's possible whoever put the timing belt back on has it misaligned by one tooth or the timing needs bumped up a bit like 124JOE says.

[124JOE]

move it counterclockwise a bit tighten it and go for a short drive
bring a 17mm wrench to adjust it on the road
and youll find a sweet spot
then adjust the idle screw
back down to 900 rpm

[majicwrench]

To each their own, but setting timing "by ear" or on the road is not the right way to do it.
Keith

[BEEK]

i have met the Baucoms, they are great people. Gary and his son have great knowledge of fiats. i wouldnt hesitate doing business with them,

[124JOE]

my haynes manual says to time it by ear
ive tryed to do it by the book 10 degrees btdc
and never get power out of it
so i go back to the haynes manual

[majicwrench]

I would be very interested to see where the Haynes manual says that. I have one, might have to look. Whether it says that or not, doing it by ear is not the right way to do it. If your car does not run well at 10deg BTDC, something is not right.
Keith

[124JOE]

chapter 4
section 8
#11
in the haynes
start the car let it warm and drive it 30 to 50mph
listening for pinging ...

[BEEK]

ok, my .02 worth. i set the timing with the maximum advance at 4000 rpm @ 36 deg, where it comes to at idle i dont realy care, as i am not driving at idle. this is for a performance tune, not emissions tune

[WYSpider]

BEEK, is that timing only for modified engines? Or does it work well for stock engines too?

[majicwrench]

Wow, the haynes manual does say that! Cept it call it "pinking" in my edition. Why bother with marks and timing lights!
Mickey Mouse.