Snarly monster or Healey?

[VelodromeRacer]

OK, So I have installed the DW header, which required some effort, then replaced a faulty coil of all things, and changed out my old sparkplug wires with a new cap and silicon wires.
Now I have a question.
Before all of this, the car seemed to "cough" once or twice through the carbs when I started her cold. Now, she "coughs" a bunch when cold, and when you stand on the gas it does it even more! I am going to check the timing, but never having done that on this car, what should the timing be set?
Is there anything I should do with the adjuster on the distributor?
I also wonder if it is carb/fuel related?
Thanks for any advice.

 

[RonMacPherson]

First thing I would be suspicious of is a vacuum leak. Do you have any carb cleaner in a spray can? I recommend that with the engine running at idle, you spray that around the junction of the intake manifold to cylinder head, and any vacuum tubes, lines, pickups off the manifold

 

[GregW]

You may have a lean mixture with was made worse by putting the headers on.

 

[VelodromeRacer]

I thought it might be lean as well. I will check both the intake and mix.

What is the ideal timing for this beast?

 

[healeynut]

Did you remember to put dashpot oil in the dashpot piston tops when you put it all back together?

 

[Keoke]

Hey Velo, This may not be Ideal. However, start out at Idle with the Vac disconnected and the line plugged. Idle speed between 600/750 RPM. Then set the timing for 15 Degrees BTDC. Later you may want to set the timing at the max position; 35 degrees at 4000 RPM and let the idle timing fall where it may.--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[VelodromeRacer]

Keoke,

I thought you might have been under the hood of your car or something!

Yes, I will try that, and I did remember to make sure I have oil in the dashpots too.