Hey guys!

So my 69 has been idling and running rough lately. Tried every iteration of carb screw adjustments to get it back in shape, but no dice. Figured it was a timing issue. Have never adjusted timing before, but I disconnected dis-carb vacuum hose and gently turned dis to where it idled smooth. (Before it is mentioned, yes I am gonna get a timing gun, just literally need the car to run to get me to pep boys).

By turning slightly counterclockwise, got it to where it was smoother. Not perfect, but big improvement. Engine idled much faster as a result, where it was once sputtering out. Tightened dis back down and reconnected hose. Thought I had it conquered! But I noticed very, very small amount of smoke leaking out of dis cap. At least that looked to be where it was coming from. I obviously shut the car off immediately. The smoke continued to leak for about 2 minutes after I killed the engine. Again, this leak was very slight, like the last few wafts off a burnt match.

I disconnected battery and removed dis cap cover to check and see if anything was fried. Everything seemed fine, but I will post pics below as I am still a novice.

What do you guys think is the culprit? Engine ran too hot after adjustment? I saw a similar thread that suspected burning oil from an oil leak near the distributor. Any helps, tips, warning or insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Did it look and smell like oil smoke? electrical smoke is different smell and look. The faster idle and letting the engine sit idling for a while while you worked on it probably heated up some old leaked oil. With old cars like these, if it starts running poorly, ignition is the first place to look-condition and age of points, condenser, cap, rotor, plugs, wires. I don't know where you are with all that stuff? Also on a Vette, lots of places for vacuum leaks. Verify the above is generally the procedure, then set ignition and adj carb, IMHO.

 

 

 

It didn't really have a particular smell, which makes me lean electrical.

 

You got smooth idle with no vacuum. You are now too far advanced.

 

Did you install the points and condenser? I prefer the points and condenser to separate components.

 

Okay. Need to turn it clockwise, correct? Also, I am just scared I am gonna start a fire. Is it okay to try and start her up again?

 

Also want to get back to what you said about vacuum. I have had overall vacuum issues on her. Mostly headlights not coming up or not going down. Oddly enough, as the engine started performing more poorly, the headlights seemed to go up/down a little better. Does this indicate anything?

Regardless, I will try and check for vacuum leaks.

 

In this pic, I can just barely make out dist cam it ... looks wet to me ... maybe seal is leaking & oil climbing into dist and getting flung onto points ... & burning ???

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d3dd1ed372.jpg

 

Do you have a timing light? Email @lars for his timing instructions, and follow them.

For timing, this video is as good as any others, and has David Freiburger.

 

Would this be related to the advancement of the distributor, though? This only happened after I advanced the timing.

 

Such an awesome video! As soon as I get the engine running well enough to drive, I am gonna go buy a timing light. I am just petrified of burning up the engine!!! 😵

 

Glad you liked it!

I would politely suggest that you are doing things in the reverse order. If you want your engine to run "well", you need a timing light.

 

I plan to get one tomorrow if I feel I can safely fire up the engine. Any thoughts on the smoke?

 

What @jackson said in post 10 is my guess, too. I think it is unrelated to your timing issues (retarded ignition will cause overheating). Is your PCV system working properly?

If you have @lars' instructions, you really should follow them at this point. If not, I can PM you his email (although it's easy to find).

Here's what I think happened:
You had too little total advance at idle. Your car nearly stalled. After the adjustment, you now have too much initial advance, and more importantly too much total mechanical advance ( @derekderek, post #6). Perhaps your vacuum advance didn't work? More likely, perhaps it was hooked up to a ported vacuum port.

Do you have a friend who can give you a ride to Pep Boys, or get the timing light from Amazon?

 

Don't even start it until you have the light. Then you are looking for 36° with no vacuum revving the engine until it stops advancing. Usually around 3-4000. Usually closer to 3. You may have about 22 initial and 45 at 3500 now. It doesn't take much timing "by ear" to have way too much advance.

 

He should actually set the dwell on the points first, as every degree of dwell will effect the timing.

 

This is exactly right.....and you need a Dwell Tach to do it. Borrow one or buy a used one.

Jebby

 

Look very carefully at the gasket between the intake manifold and the distributor for an oil leak caused by you loosening the hold down clamp for the distributor and turning it.