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Vacuum, timing, what??

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RickB

RickB

Yoda
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I got back into town tonight and of course went right to my car. Had to drive out to get a can of starter fluid.
Spraying (while car running) at shafts, intake manifold, gaskets, all over - no difference whatsoever.

Thought I'd try with the timing, retarded it to where it was idling good about 900. Of course it wouldn't really drive like that.

Put timing back - yes I had noted the starting point - and tried again, running better but higher rpm again.

Adjusted carbs again, started all the way in and turned out until carb performed correctly with the "lift the pin" method.
Then did the other. Low and behold the idle is only about 1100 rpm. Way better than 2000 rpm.

I'll try driving it tomorrow like this and see what I think of it.

Considering this is a Japanese 1500 with a performance 1400 head and a set of British SU carbs - I think I'm doing OK.

:jester:
 
I think you're doing just fine. My tach is off, so I can't say exactly what my idle is, but it likes to idle a bit high (~1000 RPM). Any lower and it seems to stumble and it becomes a bit erratic.

It sounds like you've found your engine's sweet spot.....leave it alone and enjoy it!! :smile:
 
I'll see about that tomorrow.
What kind of MPG do you get?

Should I switch to a different spark plug now?
 
Looking at those pics of your plugs in your other thread, I think you're in good shape to put in new plugs. I've been using NGK BPR5GP's, but it seems everyone with the GX ghead is using a 6 heat range plug.....I need to experiment I guess. I seem to run hot down here in Denver.....especially when it's 90+ out. Maybe the colder plug will help me out. What plugs are you using??

My mileage is all over the place depending on how I drive and if anything breaks. :smile: My last tank sucked because of a rich condition due to a misaligned needle (it was 23MPG). I typically run between 30-35MPG average, but I've seen 40-45 on long highway trips. I usually fill up around the 200-220 mile mark and put in 6 gallons and some change.
 
Don't remember what plugs I have right now, have to take a look.
Thanks Mike, I will look into this.
Your mileage sounds pretty good!
 
Running kind of crappy this morning, need to check timing to make sure I got it back where it was before.
Probably have to remove carbs again and make sure the discs are closing properly too.
 
Throttle disc on front carb not closing.

Since the other one had the poppit removed and soldered we did it to this one as well.

Made sure both discs were centered, reattached and tuned carbs and WaHoo it runs great now!!!

Thanks again to BillM, this guy is skilled, knowledgeable and an all around great friend!!!
 
And it's great to have Rick around to help-out when I am trying to drive a computer and can barely get it started!
BillM
 
heh heh heh...

takes all kinds!
 
Now for the ongoing saga... The drive home last night and the drive to work this morning.

First - it's LOTS better... But not perfect yet.

I noticed it was struggling above 3500 rpm going uphill (up I-90 between Issaquah & Snoqualmie). It did this again this morning going down hill as well. Just kind of struggles above 3500 - 3800 rpm in high gear.

Also after turning off the engine a few seconds go by then "bang" I get a detonation back around the muffler. This only happens after I've been on the road more than 15 minutes, generally driving highway speed.

I will double check my timing tonight after work - what else could this be?

Floats are set as per John Twist and the fuel pump is low output with a pressure regulator.

Could it be old & worn jets & needles?
 
Seems to be running hot, going up the hill it is still hesitant.
Still getting that detonation after running for 20 minutes up or down the freeway. Sputters gas out when first starting out for the first 5 minutes.

I have to admit though that I haven't been able to look at it because of family obligations.

I am driving the Sprite tomorrow morning!
 
Timing.

3 to 4 degrees <span style="font-weight: bold">A</span>tdc and it was supposed to be 6 degrees <span style="font-weight: bold">B</span>tdc.

After setting I took it on a drive up I-90 towards the pass.
Lets just say that if I'd been caught the fine would have been substantial!

:nonono:
 
Weird.....maybe your timing marks are off or wrong? I have mine set at 10* BTDC. But hey.....as long as it works and drives well who cares?! :smile:
 
Rick has that umm... non-standard LBC engine in there. Dat soon. But the 6° BTDC does seem a bit less lead than I'd have guessed. 8°~ 10°BTDC woulda been my WAG. If it rattles there, back it off a bit.
 
Well the 10 degrees off really made a difference in power and over heating.
I'll check the manual and go from there, but it is running good now.
Maybe it would be better at 10 btdc.
 
Heh.....I just realized that you changed it <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">from</span></span> 3-4* ATDC <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">to</span></span> 6* BTDC. I was thinking you did the opposite, which is why I thought it was weird. :smile:

6*-7* is stock....I have mine a little more advanced and it seems to like it.

BTW.....Dr. E, I also have one of those Datsoon enjuns in my Bugeye. :smile:
 
Ok, changed the timing again to 10* BTDC.
This time I persuaded my 12 YO boy to assist, got to remember to try to pass this insanity down to the next generation.

While we were at it we checked the timing on the Sprite.
It was also way off.
So I got to show him how to find the mark on the pulley, explain why we couldn't see it with the engine running even with the strobe. Mark it with some white chalk then mark another spot on the other side of the pulley with the white chalk. The show him that once there was something reflective enough you could see the spot with the strobe.

Also showed him a little of the difference between the negative ground and positive ground cars.
He said he could tell by the colors - he's got a pretty firm grasp on Red=positive and Black=negative. So I showed him about hooking up the strobe, red to the car body and black to the neg side of the battery and how it was opposite on the Midget.

Then we took the Sprite out for a test drive, ran real nice - seems like the hamsters had their Wheaties this morning!
 
'cept for Mom's VW. Either dad or uncle put a red negative and a black positive cable on it. I found out the hard way. :wall:
 
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