Question on Distributor Recurve?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 18
From: McFarland WI
Question on Distributor Recurve?
Recurved the distributor on the 72 today, lighter springs, mechanical all in at 2800, advance set at 14 degrees, adjustable vacuum advance left at its' full 16 for now. Engine runs a lot better, smoother, etc, set idle went up by 200 to 300 rpm, which I moved back down to 800. Only negative, it seems somewhat harder starting. Is the hard starting a normal consequence of what I did with the timing?? :flag
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: Question on Distributor Recurve? (jwbert)
By "hard starting", do you mean that the engine turns over the same as before but doesn't want to fire or do you mean that the engine turns over slower and/or hesitates to turn? If it's the latter, you could have more initial than the battery or starter can handle. When the cylinder fires before TDC (as is normal and desirable) there is some force trying to push the piston back down. Normally, the upward momentum of the piston/rod is enough to overcome this resistance and the other cylinders are also providing power to overcome it. The more initial, the more resistance there will be and there's a point that it requires more torque to turn over than the starter/battery wants to give. It'll act like a low battery, chugging as it strains to start it. Other than that problem, more initial usually provides better, not worse, starting.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
Re: Question on Distributor Recurve? (jwbert)
I have a 69 427 and I have tried several int settings .I found that 8 degrees advanced workes the best for me. The more advanced you set the int the harder the starter has to work when you get to operating temps.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 18
From: McFarland WI
Re: Question on Distributor Recurve? (Vetterodder)
It spins over as before, just didn't want to start. It may be that was just because it hadn't been run for quite a while. I agree, it should actually start, better. Once running, it sure ran a lot better, smoother, etc. Thanks for the reply.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Re: Question on Distributor Recurve? (jwbert)
It will be harder as you increase initial timing, I found 8 works best for me too. Try wide open throttle and make sure no pinging, if so, adjust total mechanical.
