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Re: Question about idle after tuneups

To: "Jeff McNeal" <jmcneal@ohms.com>
Subject: Re: Question about idle after tuneups
From: "Graham Stretch" <technical@iwnet.screaming.net>
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 22:25:19 +0100
Hi Jeff
Turning the engine with the starter is ok for the tappets though it is more
important when doing the points to make sure the heel is right on the top of
the lobe. The rpm increase may well be from the timing change due to the
fitting of new or re-adjusted points, the bigger the gap the earlier they
start to open and vice versa.

Graham.
2500PI MKII
Sprinted Dolomite
2000 MKI
Toledo
1300 Front Wheel Drive
http://members.tripod.co.uk/TriumphIW/index.html

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeff McNeal <jmcneal@ohms.com>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2000 10:55 PM
Subject: Question about idle after tuneups


>
> I jumped under the valve cover today, adjusting the valves with the help
of
> the old 1/2" open ended wrench that I my grandfather used to use.  The
same
> one I used to adjust the valves on my original '67 Spitfire 24 years ago.
> Interesting, nice thoughts ran through my head while I was working with a
> tool that's older than my car.  Life goes on.
>
> I adjusted the valves with the plugs out (glad to see that they were
clean,
> but a couple were a little oily on the threads) and found that it was
> easiest to use the solenoid button to to goose the engine in small amounts
> in order to adjust the valves.  Anything wrong with this technique?  It
> seemed much easier to me than trying to turn the engine by hand, roll the
> car while in gear, etc.  This is how I used to do it years ago.  I also
use
> the solenoid button to open the points for adjustment.
>
> A couple of the valves were pretty tight.  I adjusted all to .010,
replaced
> the valve cover, replaced all the ignition wires, threw on a new rotor and
> distributor cap (keeping my old ones for spares in the trunk tool box) and
> put in all new plugs.  I also readjusted the gap on the points to .015.
Not
> surprisingly, the car ran much better than it ever has -- it's also
running
> much better cold now than when before.  Huge difference there, actually.
> One thing that surprised me was that my idle jumped up by about 700 RPM
> after the tune-up!  Is this standard behavior for a freshly tuned engine?
> BTW, I did measure 1/4 to 1/2 more resistance in my old plug and coil
wires
> than the new ones showed.   TIA
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jeff in San Diego
>
> '67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
> Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
> http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
> home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
> "By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
> and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
> http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi
> ...plus a few other surprises!
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>


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