okay folks, heres the question....the marks on my timing tab look like this:

( looking down from the top )

12
-
10
-
8
-
6 ( this is where my marks line up ) ( is this 6 degrees BTC ? )
-
4
-
2
-
0
-
2
-
4
-
6

Kevin



[Modified by ksems, 8:41 AM 4/3/2002]

 

this is an 81 stock , Automatic .....

manual calls for 6 degrees BTC.....

I set it to 2 degrees BTC this morning baseed on the above chart.....and my car isnt running as well
and still running hot. On the Highway , my oil is getting up to around 230...

Kevin

 

my water temp and oil temp actually look the same as they did before I adjusted it...

 

Why 2 degrees rather than 6?

My initial timing is set @ about 13 degrees BTDC. This is where it fell after using a dial back timing light to set centrifugal total to 36 degrees. I am using a distributor kit that gets it all in by 2400 rpm.

2 degrees is quite a bit retarded.

 

glen - are you saying Im retarded ?...:D

I turned it back to see if it would have any affect on my water/oil temps.
I just recently had an emissions test and failed the NOX.....and from what I understand that can be caused from high combustion temps ( possibly due to advanced timing )
anyhow , I just wanted to see if it would have any affect turning it back.

My car is running too hot ...215 or so....it never used to run that.
I know that running lean can be a cause of high combusiton temps , but from what I understand ..
the mixture setting on the 81 is set at the factory and shouldnt be messed with...

Is my diagram correct though?....am I adjusting how I think I am?

Thanks
Kevin


[Modified by ksems, 9:59 AM 4/3/2002]

 

Hey, Kevin,
How's it hangin'?

Did you disconnect the computer link to the distributor before you set the timing? The stock setting of 6 degrees btdc assumes that the computer advance is disconnected.

I would be willing to bet you lunch that your '81 will run better with the idle timing set to about 10 degrees, rather than 6. Try it and see. Mine's set at 12, but some of that is necessary due to my altitude (4500+ feet). With the altitude around Alpharetta (what, maybe 800 feet?) I don't think you'll need that much. But it's easy enough to adjust and try, so go ahead and move it around and notice how it changes performance. If you hear or feel it "knocking", you'll know you went too far.

I can think of no reason why you'd want to set it to 2 degrees, unless you're still trying to get the emissions issues behind you. I thought you were done with that (for this year, anyway). :confused:

Good luck! :seeya

 

by the way....

my oil has been freshly changed , as has the coolant.
I checked the cooland level this morning .....full to the top :)

I know I am missing some radiator insulation, but I wouldnt think it would make it run this hot...

attention Lars ! - is this a good time to send a carb your way for rebuild? :D

Kevin

 

gator - yep , Im done with emissions this year .......whoo hoo...

just wanted to see the affect on the temps....didnt see any.

I had it at 6 and was getting a slight pinging...every so often.( light throttle ) ..but it was accelerating half / full throttle awesome !!

Ill swing it up to 10 and see what happens.....

I had some riced out VW golf come after me this morning - but even with my timing set back it wasnt even funny......tell you what 81s are not slow, I dont care what anybody says :D

kevin


[Modified by ksems, 10:05 AM 4/3/2002]

 

gator - yes I disconnected the distributor connection before setting the timing...then hooked it back
up when done...

 

about running hot... could be lots of things, of course, but here's what I've run into...

First, you know these sharks are "bottom feeders", especially the '80-'82's, because of the air dam under the front. They pick up all kinds of garbage off the road. When I pulled my leaky radiator to replace it, the bottom third of it was covered with leaves, gum wrappers, bird feathers, you name it. And that was all stuck between the A/C condensor and the radiator, where you could not see it. And of course there was a lot of stuff on the condensor, too, but that's easier to see and get rid of.

Second, the stock SBC water pump leaves something to be desired. I put a FlowKooler aluminum pump on mine, and it really works well. Significantly higher rate of flow. There have been lots of posts on CF about FlowKoolers going bad, so I guess I got a good one. I'd probably get a Stewart next time, just based on their reputation.

Third, if your radiator is the original, there's a very good chance it's got a lot of lime scale in it. Replacing it or having it cleaned out is a good step toward better cooling. Whenever you flush and/or refill, be sure to use ONLY distilled water to mix with the antifreeze. Tap water is loaded with carbonates.

Fourth, the fan clutch may need to be replaced.

All I can tell you is that my '81, with a new rad, no leaves/gum-wrappers/feathers, hi-perf pump, new fan clutch, and 180 degree thermostat runs at 180 degrees. Period. On a 100 degree day in the Utah summer, with the A/C on (OK, 2 years ago when the A/C still worked! :D ), and driving in city traffic, it never got over 200 degrees on the gauge. And the oil runs the same temp or just a little hotter, depending on the speed I'm running.

Good luck, Kevin! :seeya

 

I'll tell you also that if you're running too lean that can also affect your combustion temperatures. I found out I was running lean and it needed to richen up about 1/2 turn. Dropped my coolant temps by 15-20 degrees (NO JOKE!) :cheers:

 

Gator - set the timing to 10 this morning and drove to work.....runs real good at 10. :)
I still have a small amount of pinging, but I dont think its any more than what I had at 6.
Its only under very light acceleration throttle...half and full throtte is a beautiful thing...

It was cooler this morning so my car ran cooler....but its still getting up there.
I need to look into cleaning under my radiator, etc etc...I already have a new water pump,
hoses, thermostat, etc..so I'll start looking harder at the radiator...

If I remove the CAT and replace it with a test pipe , the car will run cooler as well , right?
maybe thats how I can justify ripping the CAT off - yes :D

thanks all for the help

Kevin


[Modified by ksems, 9:08 AM 4/4/2002]


[Modified by ksems, 9:09 AM 4/4/2002]

 

One of the things I did to my 82 was install a aftermarket electric fan on the radiator (original was toast). Made a world of difference. My car actually will run at whatever stat I put in. I have found 180 to be about the best for my motor and heads.

 

woodstoc - thats a good point...I havent even checked to see if mine is even operating...I see it mounted up against the radiator...I guess it comes on via temp switch somewhere?

that may be my problem...

Kevin

 

Temp switch above a certain setting (not sure what temp) and also should come on when you start up A/C.