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48mirage Wrote:I don't know about setting RPM with a vacuum gauge, but I do know that there are those that will set their timing with a vacuum gauge. The conventional wisdom is to set up your timing so that the vacuum is steady at the maximum number. I think that too often that puts the timing too far advanced and the RPM's too fast. With today's fuels the flame front is a little faster than the gasolines when our cars were built so TDC is a little late. I think I have my '49 timed at about 4 degrees BTDC. Make sure you disconnect and plug off the vacuum advance when setting the timing. Once you are happy with that then set the air to fuel mixture and then the idle speed. If after all of this you hear the engine pinging retard that timing a couple of degrees.
X2
The Idaho Andy
I love the smell of race fuel in the morning
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if i want to set my distributer in proper position [rotor facing 7oclock] after doing procedure with correct piston position......can i simply pull it up and move rotor to correct location then lock it down? sorry i cant find th answer in my book or internet thanks
Put #1 cylinder at TDC of the compression stroke. Careful it is easy to get the distributor in 180 degrees out. Then raise your distributor and move the rotor to proper position and then set the timing. I know is sounds like you should be able to take some short cuts but there are no easier way to do this.
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Thanks.i was told it didnt matter if rotor wasnt in proper location because you can static time But i could never get light to go off no matter where i moved distributor. Also one thread said to turn ignition on,Manuel didn't state that?and watching a youtube video on a mg the wire on distributor was removed,maybe that was my problem nothing stated to remove wire
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When i remove distributor up some do i have to move oil pump shaft?according to a picture there is a slot that mates.i did read somewhere about moving rotor a little back and forth to get teeth to align?
In your email you said the vehicle runs. Where is your rotor pointing now? If it is pointing to the 1 o'clock position when at TDC it was installed 180 degrees out and will align with the 7 o'clock position easily.
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sorry worked late sat.today rainstorms. have to verify when can, but pretty sure my no.1 is at 9 oclock
If you are at 9 o'clock you have 2 choices. On the bottom of the distributor there is another adjustment method. You have to pull the distributor to make this adjustment. The other choice is to pull the distributor and the oil pump to get everything to line up. I'm not sure it is worth that much work. The 9 o'clock position is not a problem just move the wires as you need to fire right.
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Thats what i was thinking someone must have pulled pump and didnt align slot correctly. I have it wired where 6 is in comp state.my main concern was the light not going out so timing not right.i read where damage can be done.next chance ill have to play with the methods to static time correctly. I read where spark and compression timing is crucial. I have no problem leaving it at the 9/10 position
