Time up issues

[FordPrefect]

Hey, I have a couple issues, one is the timing belt cover is rattling. Anyone know what sized bolt for the lower corner? Or bushing ideas? Mine are missing.

I've been running too hot, and having some pinging (can be hard to hear with the timing belt cover) turned out the points were worn. I adjusted the points, set timing to 0 degrees (I think that's the longer mark on the timing belt cover) and no matter how I try to tune the carb, there's just no power.

[sptcoupe]

Your timing is supposed to beat 10 BTDC, at 800-900 rpms. You won't have nay power at all with the timing set at 0 BTDC.

[FordPrefect]

That might explain it, my manual says to set it to 0 for some reason.

[sptcoupe]

When you say it is running hot, what do you mean? What temp does it reach, under what conditions? Moving? Standing still?

What did you set the points to? They should be .0017" or 56 degrees of dwell.

[FordPrefect]

When you say it is running hot, what do you mean? What temp does it reach, under what conditions? Moving? Standing still?

What did you set the points to? They should be .0017" or 56 degrees of dwell.

Points are at .0015, can't really get them to open further (gotta order some new ones!) I'll play with the timing tomorrow, I guess.

I think the temp used to stay pretty steady at 190, right in the middle. Now it's been climbing at least halfway up to the red mark, so uh, 225?

[sptcoupe]

Do you know if your fan is coming on? Let the car idle and see if the fan turns on.

[FordPrefect]

It comes on, it quit during the summer and I had to clean the connectors to get it running again.

[sptcoupe]

Does it get hot when you are moving at normal speeds, or when you are standing still/or in very slow traffic?? Its is normal for the temp to go up when idling at a standstill or creeping along in traffic, then drop to normal running temps when you are underway, or when the fan comes on.

[bobplyler]

Running with retarded ignition can cause overheating. It's far more obvious on a 2-stroke, but can occur with a 4-stroke.

[FordPrefect]

Interesting.

It's running better now at 10 degrees, I wonder if new dizzy springs will help. Still a bit hot, but I haven't driven it long enough to tell.

[FordPrefect]

Alrighty, I got a vacuum gauge, and got the timing down much, much, better. It's like a new car. (It helps I adjusted the clutch cable too.)

One more question, I've heard you can adjust for maximum vacuum, or back it off a tad from max. Anyone know which option works best?

[RRoller123]

Using a timing light is far preferred over vacuum, but I used to use the vacuum method on my X1/9 decades ago with good results. Just make sure that it is max STEADY vacuum, or it will end up too far advanced.

Better to just use a timing light.