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Triumph TR6 - OK...another newbie question..timing

Hooked up the timing light and it was probably 16 BTDC...I am estimating since I had marked 8 BTDC. Would you tighten the dizzie at where the RPM's are the highest...and then adjust carbs for idle speed? I tightened the dizzie at approx. 12 BTDC figuring that was a reasonable compromise.
RF Ickrath

My approach was to set the idle with timing adjusted to spec. It was a back and forth process where I would set the timing then the idle then the timing until all seemed in balance. But I have no idea if there is/was a better way to go.

But the first thing to do is to make sure the carbs are balanced on air intake.
Michael Petryschuk

Thanks Michael. That's another $40 tool from TRF to balance the air intake. Spec is 4 ATDC, but the popular wisdom is that it should be around 8 BTDC after all of these years. No way I could time it to anything ATDC and have it run. I did get the new heat shield on and ignition wire so maybe it will run a bit cooler now....not that you have that problem in Ontario.
RF Ickrath

I would set your timing by a vac gauge.
Who says that the pulley is correct anymore and the everything else is correct
DNK

They say you can balance the carbs by listening to the hiss using a rubber tube but I like the quantitative approach from a device that gives me a number. (it's only money and after all it is a British Car :-) )

I have been running at 4 degrees ATDC since I rebuilt the car in 2005. I get reasonably good gas mileage and the car does have pretty good acceleration. Just perfect for the kind of cruising I do.

I have thought about advancing the timing further but have never bothered to see the effect on idle, power, acceleration and gas mileage. Haven't wanted to mess with what seems to be a good thing as the car has been very reliable. I have taken it to the Allegheny's in Penn with a stop at The Roadster Factory, the Adirondacks in NY, Lake Michigan on the West Side of MI and to Wawa Ontario not to forget to mention Ottawa and points in between. These are typical 700-1000 mile round trips.

Don- I have never set to vacuum- what is the procedure? Where do you measure the vacuum? And what level do you set it to?
Michael Petryschuk

I'll dig up the info
DNK

Thanks for the info Don. I googled vacuum timing and it brought back a few articles. Sounds like the best way to time an older engine, especially with the quality of gasoline we are getting today. If you remember which port you used to attach the vac, I'd appreciate the information. And Michael...I found an article @ classicinlines.com/vacuum.asp that you might like. Also, http://automotivemileposts.com/garage/v2n8.html
RF Ickrath

I also researched where to attach the vacuum gauge. Seems like the banjo fitting that feeds the anti run-on valve is ideal. HF has vac gauges for 14.50 that are highly rated. Beats 40-50 at a parts store when I might use it twice a year. An oh BTW...I got an automotive test meter from HF for $35. Good for dwell,volts, ohms and has a tach set up. Also has a little temperature sensor that I guess I could use to test a thermostat. But in the mean time I just dropped it into my beer and it read 45 degrees...so that is one good use! The EXACT same testmeter at Sears was $145! Go figure....
RF Ickrath

http://www.centuryperformance.com/forum/showthread.php/42-Engine-Tuning-Using-a-Vacuum-Gauge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utUSI-JYhVU
DNK

Thanks Don and RJ. Very interesting. I will probably give it a try for next spring.


Showing my Canadian ignorance- what is HF? Not sure I know the store.
Michael Petryschuk

Harbor Freight. Ridiculously cheap tools. They used to sell in parking lots where I used to live in Mass, but they actually have a store where I live now in NC about four miles away. Go to their web site HarborFreight.com. But you can't get hockey skates like at Canadian Tire.... I need some new blades and CT prices are cheap compared to the US
RF Ickrath

RF= Rick?? Roger??? Robert?? Rupert??
DNK

Bob or Ick
RF Ickrath

Ick?
DNK

Notice my last name? I have been Ick or Icky most of my life. Sad isn't it? My drill instructor thought it sounded like it was derogatory, so he called me that all the time. After I was commissioned I told him it made me feel like he was my best friend.
RF Ickrath

OK....got the vacuum gauge and hooked it up. Seems like someone before had disconnected the vacuum line from the anti run on valve and capped it off, so that is where I hooked the vacuum gauge. I had already used a timing light, as I said earlier, and it was at about 12 ATDC. The vac gauge was reading about 17 but not real steady, vibrating up and down about 1/2 an inch. Is that normal or should it be rock steady? According to the literature this could mean worn valve guides, but I wasn't sure if I was reading too much into a wavering needle.
RF Ickrath

Ick- Email me
donnkelly@comcast.net
DNK

Great thread guys. Just as a matter of interest, about 5 years ago I went to a garage sale and bought a big box full of stuff for $25.00. In the box was a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder, GT6 timing chain, a set of Weber sidedraft velocity stacks (no carbs attached :(), a complete set of gaskets for a Spit/Midget 1500, MG wheel bearings and a whole bunch of other miscellaneous MG bits with the receipts from the Roadster factory. Also in the box was a Sears Tune-Up Analyzer, which I guess is the tool Ick has mentioned here. I don't know how to use it and heard that it won't work if one has the Pertronix electronic ignition that I have but it's still an interesting and unique antique tool. By the way, anybody out there collecting antique hand tools? Might make for an interesting thread and keep this tired old forum going. Hate to see it just fade away.
Cheers all,
Bob
Bob Evans

I hooked up the vac gauge again since the last time I didn't twist the dizzie to see how high I could get the gauge to read. Amazingly, at least to me, it maxed out at 24. Following the advice on line I backed it down two inches to reduce pinging. The vibrating needle continues, but supposedly I might be able to get rid of that by adjusting the carbs, which I need to do anyway to set the idle speed. It's at 1000 RPM right now, but the bolt for the fast idle is holding the carbs open a little on one side. Problem is I can't find a wrench to fit the head of the bolt. 8mm is too big, 7mm too small, and the space to fit it in is too small for an adjustable.
RF Ickrath

Ick, why metric? Grab your tiny "ignition wrenches" and find a 5/16" and 9/32" and try them. There is little to no metric on these cars depending on what you or a PO may have done. The only thing I can think of off hand that is definitely metric on these cars would be the 16M calipers that were fitted to some '72 and later production cars.

7mm - .2756"
8mm - .3150"

9/32" - .2815"
5/16" - .3125"
SteveP1

Thanks Steve...I will give that a try. For some reason I am spring loaded to thinking metric....guess from having a TDI Jetta for the last 14 years. Car was idling at 1300 all the way to Krogers and back, but the timing is perfect now at least.
RF Ickrath

Steve...you were right. Except for the right hand carb, which has a slightly rounded bolt head! Which is why I was so confused. Can barely get a wrench to hold it....but if I find the right position...I can turn the nut and back off the bolt that holds the cold idle screw. Got the idle down to 850 or so...much better! Ordered the carb adjusting tools from TRF today. I try to make a list of what I need to order so I can consolidate and order all at once to save shipping. Today? New rear view mirror, since I could barely see out of the old one. And the carb adjusting tools. Next I need to find someone who can modify my tonneau cover so I can put it on around my roll bar. Four zippers should do it. But the first guy I talked to said he won't touch tonneau covers? I will probably do it myself. Either fabric glue or (sigh) break out the sewing machine and stitch it. If you don't hear from me it is because I have sewed my fingers together! If you think I am bad with wrenches....a sewing machine? LOL
RF Ickrath

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2014 and 21/09/2014

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