Air intake hose

[SteinOnkel]

I'm still confused.

Are you saying you are running 20 degrees of advance at idle? But, why? Most 4-bangers like 5 to 10. I can't recall off the top of my head, but I think for the 1978 California smaug engine the spec is 10 degrees.

That's what I have mine set at (I think). And the vacuum signal comes straight from the manifold, not ported like it should be because it's a knockoff carburetor.

[Nut124]

I'm still confused.

Are you saying you are running 20 degrees of advance at idle? But, why? Most 4-bangers like 5 to 10. I can't recall off the top of my head, but I think for the 1978 California smaug engine the spec is 10 degrees.

That's what I have mine set at (I think). And the vacuum signal comes straight from the manifold, not ported like it should be because it's a knockoff carburetor.

The ignition advance specs at idle are with vac advance disabled. Mine is about 10 BTDC with vac advance disabled. With vac advance it seems to be about 20. Typical vac advance adds 10 degrees advance at idle, low throttle manifold vacuum levels. This should be gone by the time centrifugal vac is fully in.

If you set your idle timing with vacuum advance functioning, you will be way short of advance at top end and sacrifice power. The CF advance is typically 26 deg total by 4000rpm or so. So you need 10 deg w/o vacuum, at idle, to get 36 total advance at top end.

My car definitely likes the extra vac advance when driving slow in residential areas.

[SteinOnkel]

Oh. I see what you did there. Carry on carry on...

[MBEpse]

Still need help!!
Re-checked all connections, positions etc - the car did fire up at one point but running very rough. Tried the distributor in various positions but after turning over numerous times I gave up and had a beer!!!
As it did start once, I can't be far away from getting there but need a bit of guidance - the photos below show the cam, crank positions and the distributor/rotor - I am thinking that it must be the distributor position - should I try to reinstall more CCW or CW? does the rotor position look correct? Any help with this would be very much appreciated.

Sorry, I'm not able to upload photos - not sure why?

Would anyone mind if I emailed the photos to them?

[tima01864]

Timing light?

[MBEpse]

I haven’t been able to use a timing light yet as the engine is not starting.

[Nut124]

Still need help!!
Re-checked all connections, positions etc - the car did fire up at one point but running very rough. Tried the distributor in various positions but after turning over numerous times I gave up and had a beer!!!
As it did start once, I can't be far away from getting there but need a bit of guidance - the photos below show the cam, crank positions and the distributor/rotor - I am thinking that it must be the distributor position - should I try to reinstall more CCW or CW? does the rotor position look correct? Any help with this would be very much appreciated.

Sorry, I'm not able to upload photos - not sure why?

Would anyone mind if I emailed the photos to them?

When you say "..try reinstall.." what do you mean? Are you pulling the dizzy out to adjust CCW/CW?

To adjust timing, you rotate the dizzy, in place, in tiny increments. The retaining nut must be loosened and then tightened again. Idle is normally stronger with more advance, CCW.

Does your engine normally idle well when cold? Mine does not. I turn up idle speed a bit when trying to start for 1st time after a head job to help keep the engine running for the ign timing check.

Found this video on tube: You can ggogle: How to adjust ignition timing.

Right-click at the link below and select Open in a new tab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_5MqRS43ao

[MBEpse]

Thanks, very straightforward video for a novice like me.
What I mean by CCW or CW is the static position as I’ve installed in the engine - if I were able to upload a photo you would see what I mean.
It’s getting that position right to allow the car to start is what I’m struggling with.

[tima01864]

There are a few connections on the EFI to check aswell, under the intake manifold there is a connection. Make sure that it tight and the connection on the tee going to the radiator.

[Nut124]

Set your crank to TDC. Do you have an accurate TDC mark? Timing TDC with cam marks is not good enough.

At TDC, remove dizzy cover. Rotate dizzy base until the rotor tip points to the #4 electrode, if the cover were in place. After this, I might turn CCW just a tiny bit because the engine does like advance to run better at idle.

Someone suggested using a marker to transfer the #4 electrode location from inside the cover, to the rim and then adge of the cover and from there to the metal base of the dizzy. This helps pointing the rotor to #4.

Check all plug wires: Trace from cap to plug making sure they go to the right cylinder.

Be careful with the timing light cables, keep away from belts and exhaust.

[MBEpse]

Thanks for that, I will try that set-up tomorrow, I have just checked the magnetic plate below the control module (as I read somewhere?) that the line should be facing downward - in the distributor that I bought it was installed the other way ie the line was facing upwards so I have changed this - haven’t tried starting yet - tomorrow is another day!
Thanks all the advice - I’m sure I will get there

[tima01864]

That line may just solve your issue

[MBEpse]

Sorry meant to say ‘ignition pick up’ but at least you knew what I meant!
Fingers crossed for today.

[MBEpse]

Sorry guys if you’re getting a bit bored by this but I really appreciate your input.
Hurrah , set up as nut124 said and the engine started, turned the distributor CCW evened out the revs (got faster and more even), let the engine idle at about 900/1000 revs for 10 minutes to warm up, checked timing and engine running at I would guess at 20 TDC so turned CW to 10 TDC and allowed engine to settle for a bit then pressed accelerator and all sorts of popping, backfiring, very unsettled running at about 2000 revs, dropped to 900/1000 and idled nicely.
Any clues as to what to do next or what I’ve done??

[tima01864]

you may need to set the TPS