loss of power

[Johnny]

i took the car for a drive this morning. had to use starting fluid to get her started. had to keep pulling the chocke to keep it idling and it was backfiring through the exhaust as i was driving. have checked the points, rotor, plugs, fuel filters and the fuel pump. haven't replaced the condenser and havent checked the timing yet. any ideas?

Don't just check the rotor, replace it!! You can't see if it's bad.
If you're using Champion plugs tighten the caps on the plugs with a pair of pliers, they work loose.

 

[chickentender]

i have a timing light. what are the specific steps in doing the timimg? i will replace the plugs, points, rotor and condensor.

 

[Ed_K]

Set the timing light to 15' BTDC.
Disconnect the vacuum advance line.
Center up the advance knob to the middle of travel so when you are
done setting the timing, you will have the most adjustment motion available through the little knob/wheel on the base of the distributor.
Then loosen the distributor hold down bolt.
Start the car and then adjust the distributor by rotating it by hand until the timing mark lines up under the pointer.
Then snug down the hold down bolt.
Recheck the timing mark alignment to make certain it did not move while you tightened it down.
.
Now is a good time to check for the timing mark " wandering " around the pointer at random. If you see the timing mark " wandering " around under the pointer at idle, this is is an indication that your distributor should be rebuilt with new bushings, weights and springs.
Or purchase and install a Pertronixs distributor like I did.
.
I forgot to mention that if you are still using points and a condenser,
set your point gap correctly before you check / adjust the timing.

Ed

 

[Ed_K]

....
One other thing to check for poor running...
....
If you are still using the original coil it may be bad.
You can check it with an ohm meter. The primary side should be
close to 3 ohms. If it is way outside of this range, the coil is most likely bad. You should check it right after you get back from a test drive and the coil is still hot.

Ed

 

[GregW]

A couple things I'd like to add in there. Before adjusting the timing, warm the car up. It will be hard to get the idle low enough if you have to use the choke in these colder months. Do an initial check of the timing before you adjust or loosen anything. Don't loosen the distributor hold down bolt too much. Starting the car may cause it to rotate way out of spec. I loosen the bolt after the car is running, that way I can keep a hand on it the whole time. Watch out for shocks from the spark plug wires, they can leak and bite you.