Okay, I'm trying to get everything sorted out on my Bugeye. The 1275 engine
I recently rebuilt still smokes some (blue smoke), but really only when
first starting up cold and after idling for a period of time. I have just
over 400 miles on it right now.
However, the main point of this post is an ignition timing question. The
dynamic timing spec on the engine is 10 degrees BTDC @ 1000 RPM. Before
attempting to set the timing, I checked the valve adjustments (they were all
still very close to spec) and the point gap (also very close to spec).
Shortly after the rebuild, I had set the timing by ear (advanced for maximum
RPM then retarded 100 RPM). When I put a timing strobe on it today, I
noticed that the TDC mark on the harmonic balancer was nowhere to be seen.
So, I checked the location of the TDC mark by removing the valve cover and
rotating the crank until both valves on #1 were closed and both valves on #4
were equally open. The TDC mark was right on the TDC pointer. I then
started it back up, and started retarding the timing until the TDC mark came
into view and continued to do so until I reached the 10 deg. BTDC pointer.
I had to adjust the idle screws significantly while I did this to keep it
running. I drove it like this, and it ran, but not as well as it had, so I
set it back where it was (by ear again).
I'd guess I'm a good 30 degrees BTDC (based on the TDC mark and the
pointers), but the car seems to run okay. Idle is a little rough... I did
quite a bit of test driving today, including a drive up a rather steep hill.
I did get a little pinging as I tried to pull up the hill in third gear when
I punched the gas, so I retarded the timing slightly until I didn't get the
pinging.
Why would my timing be so out of whack?
Kurtis Jones
Russellville, Arkansas
1963 TR4 - CT19389L
1959 AH Bugeye - AN5L23250
www.geocities.com/tr4_1963
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