[6pack] Ignition Retard

[jmagorian at neb.rr.com]

If I recall correctly, which isn't normal for me, retarding the timing reduces the idle speed so that the throttle valves could be open more at idle to bring the idle speed back to normal.  Opening the throttle valves lean the idle mixture reducing hydrocarbons at idle.


> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 11:12:08 -0600
> From: Larry Young <cartravel at pobox.com>
> To: "FOT at autox.team.net" <FOT at autox.team.net>
> Cc: Triumph <6pack at autox.team.net>
> Subject: [6pack] Distributor Retard
> Message-ID: <52D2CCE8.9040008 at pobox.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> This is not a racing question.  I'm sure the ignition retard is often 
> disabled on 6 cylinder Triumphs.  Does anyone know why it was used in 
> the first place?  I have always thought it was strictly for emissions, 
> which became more restrictive in 1968.  Perhaps it improves combustion 
> at low throttle such as when decelerating or when descending a hill.  
> Just curious.
> - Larry