Two weeks after starting the tune-up on the TR6 it's finished... seems
to have taken just a *bit* longer than I originally anticipated.
It all started when I decided to do something about the misfiring I
was getting over 2500 rpm. First, I inspected cap, rotor, points, etc
and found cracked cap and burned points. Plugs and wires were ok so
the rest needed replacement. Took 3 days to get correct points after
two trips to the shop. By the time I got around to installing them I
found a dead battery as my 2 year-old son had been playing in the
'widdo yellow car' and left the lights on all day ;-)
After 24 hours of charging it was time to get the beast going only to
find, after cranking it a few times, that the starter solenoid had
melted. Off we go for a new solenoid and the next day we're cranking
again, but no spark now... hmmm. After all the usual checks our hero
finds a dead coil so it's off to the shop again to install a new coil
the next day.
Well now, after replacing most of the starting circuit, it's running!
Not only that, but it runs *GREAT*. After all the advice I received
from everyone about timing I decided to time it by ear and forget the
timing light, specs, etc. Turns out it runs best around 4 degrees
BTDC, although the spec says 4 ATDC! Not only that, but the valve
knock/tick on valves 11/12 I'd been getting since I bought the car has
disappeared! When I asked the PO about the noise when I bought the
car he said his mechanic told him he had a sticking lifter... hmmm.
On top of all these good things the car actually has *power* now.
Used to be a real battle to keep it at 60 mph going up hills because
of the misfiring, etc over 2500 (no overdrive yet) but this morning I
accelerated up the same hills hitting 75 quite comfortably with lots
of pull left over... pretty satisfying and *fun*!
Now it's on to the overdrive... sigh.
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* Mike Himelfarb - '76 TR6 | "When all else fails, use a hammer..." *
* Mike@ShoppersDrugMart.CA | Taylor *
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