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New Spark Advance Vacuum

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Hello Guys,

I don't know whether this is just my imagination or not. (I am always wary after I do anything to a car, no matter how simple.)

I installed a vacuum tube on my B. I SWEAR that it does not run as well as before. It doesn't idle as well, accelerate as well, or run as well. I will admit that I only took it for a 30 minute ride - maybe that wasn't enough.

Is there something that I was supposed to do after installing the vacuum? Was I supposed to advance or retard the distributor?

And one more question. If it turns out that I should take it off and leave it off, do I need to plug the fitting on the manifold, or can I leave it open? (The PO had pinched off the pipe, then bent it closed.)

I look forward to hearing from you. Man, she looks good, after a washing and waxing!

"Rome wasn't built in a day. It just LOOKS that way." Mad Magazine.
 
Connecting the advance tube should have NO effect at idle. If it does, then either the port is messed up somehow, or the throttle plate is open too far on the front carb. I'd temporarily disconnect the line from the advance module while the engine is idling; if the engine rpm changes as you disconnect it, then there is a problem with the advance. Otherwise, the idle problem is somewhere else.

Likewise, the advance isn't doing anything (no advance) during hard acceleration. I'd be looking for something else that changed while you were installing it. Also, did you check that the advance module works and doesn't leak? They usually 'wear out' by the diaphragm breaking and causing a vacuum leak.

If you do remove the line, the carb port should be capped off. But just a rubber cap, available at any auto parts store, is adequate. No need to destroy the line.
 
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