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TR6 TR-6 down on power

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gbtr6

gbtr6

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I have a 74TR-6 running a Pertronix, and a Gold Lucas Sport coil. It runs down on power. Has no acceleration. I have the balast resister still on the coil. Is that the way it should be or should I get rid of that? Checked plugs, they seem fine. Timing is @ 18 degrees advanced at 1,000 rpm. I have changed the fuel filter, haven't tried it after that. It really hasn't run since out of storage. Standard fuel pump in it. Has worked fine before. Pertronix is new.Any suggestions on what to try? I still may have a few weeks to enjoy if I can get it fixed. Thanks, Perry
 
The 74 has an internal ballast built into the wiring, not on the coil. Did you install the proper number coil for that model year? That little thingy on the coil is just a static suppressor for the radio.

Also, does it have the proper part number Pertronix for a 1974 with the ballast ignition? The coil and Pertronix should be matched. I don't know what will happen if you run mis-matched.

How long has this been running like that? You could always swap out the coil and try it. It's the easiest solution if the fuel filter doesn't work for you.

Here is a trouble shooting chart for the Pertronix just in case you want to check it out.
 
How old is your gasoline? Modern mixtures have a very short tank life. Did you add Sta Bil or a similar additive to the fuel before storage?
Are there any other symptoms besides the poor acceleration.
Is your idle smooth, etc.?
 
I have thought about ther gas as it has an uneven idle. It hunts up and down, need to use the choke quite a bit, sputters up to higher rpm's. It ran well last year with points and this gas but it may be bad. Perry
 
Just curious why you went to an electronic ignition in the first place? Was it previously running poorly with the original points set up?
 
Hello Perry,

18 degrees advance at 1000, rpm seems high, I don't know the spec of U.S. models but I would check that. Also I would confirm your electronic ignition set up with the coil you have, especially a you say that it ran well on points.

I don't know if old fuel will make much difference to the performance but just makes starting harder.

The other thing that helps a car to run well is regular use, they do not like being left for extended periods of inactivity.

Alec
 
It ran well with the points however, I had trouble getting the dwell correct. It seemed as though the slot on the points didn't allow enough movement to adjust to @35 degrees. I didn't think the points opened enough. So, I thought I'd go to Pertronix. The timing is so the car would run. I can't advance any more as the tach cable rectricts it's movement further.What sort of timing do you all run on these at idle? And at higher rpm's? I have access to an advance light so I could set that up. I haven't had this sort of trouble before. Possible gas, and or particles in it? Perry
 
My stock 73 TR6 is timed at 12 deg BTD at the 850 RPM idle with the stock vacuum retard connected on a timing light.
After considerable twiddling this seems to be the best setting for mine on regular gas.
BTW I understand that the crankshaft damper timing marks can be misaligned somehow which will cock up any effort you make if thats the case.
If I were you I'd put the points back in and fiddle with it to see if you can sort it out; it's VERY difficult to troubleshoot those electronic units. The points should be set with a feeler gauge.
Can you post a picture of the position of the dizzy relative to the engine block. Sounds like an electrical problem to me rather than fuel.
 
Perry, forget the dwell setting. Just set the gap with a feeler gauge and go. Dwell setting was great on the old GM dizzys with the window in the cap, but they were DESIGNED for that. These points were designed to be simple.

If you are getting 18 BTDC at 1000RPM, that is entirely possible if the vacuum retard is disconnected or not working. If your distributor is advancing properly, it will move a bit when the rpms go up from idle. I keep mine set at 15 BTDC at 850RPM on high test and the vacuum retard works well.
 
By the way Paul, my TR is also Mimosa and Chestnut.
 
I noticed long ago. Now you know why I replied so quickly!
 
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