Okay, I know you guys said that the timing was retarded a tooth if the headers were glowing--but which way do we want to turn the distributor? Is it the same as when you are adjusting the timing?
Sorry, You think I might have asked that dumb question before graemlins/clonk.gif
Thanks in advance!

Marie

Before you try to adjust it blind, get a timing light and see where your timing is now.

-Bob Cunningham

We did check it at 2000RPM 'cause it won't idle on it's own--gotta keep feathering it to keep it running. The timing read 26 degrees. We don't have much advance, so the initial can't be far off, we have around 4 or 5 degrees advance which is not right either. Right now I have had it. This is so frustrating. Any more ideas other than retarded timing? The engine temp is not up--it had not even hit 100 degrees, but the headers are RED HOT! Thanks for your help.

Marie

I've found it's best to set the timing on my SB to total timing at around 3000 rpm, set mine for 38`. Most folks I know run between 34 and 38 total timing. Hope this helps smile.gif

Oh, another Marylander. Where do ya live, and are you attending the MCC show in North East this year?? Next week is the Spring Bash at the Big M drive-in in Churchville, north of Aberdeen.

Sid,
Yes, we were shooting for around 32-34 total timing @ 3000RPM per the machinists instructions, but we are never able to get the timing down and get it to idle. For the longest time we were running with 40 degrees of total timing. Who knows how many problems we are chasing? Right now we are trying to focus on timing--all invloved think that is the main thing.
By the way, I live in Linthicum. I don't know if we will be at the Northeast thing or not. I would like too. We have been chasing one problem or another for two months now. Perhaps if we get everything straight we will be able to make it up there. Thanks for your input.

Marie

I have a hard time believing that the temperature gauge is only showing 100 degrees F and you have red-hot headers? Are you sure of the tempertature gauge?

Timing is one thing, but also consider a too lean mixture. :confused:

Good point. Do you have anyone else who can swap a carb with you??

Hi Sid,
No, everyone is swapped out, us included. We have been toying with the idea of buying a new one, and were just talking about it. I think it would be money well spent--better a few hundred, than a few thousand! I am getting seriously worried about damaging my engine. It was just rebuilt last year. Thanks for the input. I will let you guiys know how everything is proceeding.

Marie

you are not asking stupid questions, your just frustrated. been there done that. start with getting the #1 cyl. at t.d.c. pull the cap and look at the rotor. you'll see weather you have to back it up or move foward. i don't know if possiable on b.b. but can you put the dist. in 180 degrees backwards? i had this happen on an old mopar i bought cheap cause kid couldn,t figure problem. took me a week to figure it out. good luck. never let the bastards win.

1BLACKHARLEY, Yes, it is possible to be 180 out--yeah, we've done that one before--not so this time. I think we might have made some progress. We are going to start the car up after my husband comes back from work and see if we still have the gowing problem. I hope not! It just got too late to start it up--neighbors... He did fatten up the carb a little too. The timing thing is goofy, because we were getting 26 or 27 at 2000RPM. How can it be retarded? I don't know. I am doing a lot fo reading this week on carbs and ignition timing, I'll tell you that! Thanks for the help and encouragement! smile.gif

Keep us posted. Good luck smile.gif

Hi guys, this is what is going on now. We have total timing of 34-35 at 3000RPM's and only three headers glowing! :confused: We don't know if that is because we kill it when they start and the others have not kicked in or what. Our machinist wanted to know if the three that were glowing are fed off of the same plane--they are not,have not informed him yet....We all think it is not a bad idea to to just give in and buy the new carb. It is something to try as one of you mentioned. Of course, it would help if it would stop raining here. We might as well be in Washington state. It seems like we can never get out there and work on it. Well, any more ideas pass them on please. Thanks for all of your support, it is greatly appreciated. smile.gif

Marie

i'm sure somebody will be better informed than i, but now that the car is timed right (running well?)if maybe the earlier over heating of the headers, weakend them enough to now easily over heat. i watched a guy drop a screw driver on a glowing header, it put a nice hole right threw the pipe, like butta. i'm sure this will bring in a metalurgist to explain to us less educated. if this is a carb. issue, why not rejet? is carb. old and beat up? jets are cheap. i wish you success soon. i know how frustrating these things can get. good luck. if this does not help, maybe it's time to look at the timing set, maybe skipped a tooth.

I was gonna say maybe it was the gas, but now that you said only three are glowing; good luck with your problem!

With your timing set right, and you've verified not being 180deg out, yet 3 pipes are still glowing...... The only other thing left to do wld be to verify your valve preloads.

I'd be suspicious of valve mis-adjustment... either an over tightened exhaust or a loose intake on those particular cylinders.

Anyone else??

-Greg

Just a thought, you said that it wouldn't idle below 2000 without feathering the throttle, could you have a large vacuum leak on those intake ports or runners? Some times glowing exhaust is also a sign of a lean condition.

a36chevy has the answer....intake leak