Ed in Maine
Well-known member
This car has had a starting problem for a couple of years and I make some changes and there is some improvement. The compression is not the best and so I have just been living with a poor starting T. When you have to crank a car to get it going and it can be a lot of work for this 72 year old back!
Yesterday I finally had some time to take a closer look. I verified good gas flow, installed new spark plugs that had been on the shelf too long and took apart the Anderson timer. I cleaned the contacts in the timer and re-adjusted the timing so that at just past TDC the first plug would fire. I hadn't had the timer open in three years since I installed it. I did have the timing too retarded at full lever up. I must admit this car scares me and I don't like messing around with the timer unless I have to although I have never had a problem with the crank on start up. I just have a healthy respect for this timing process.
Yesterday I got everything back together, took a deep breath and cranked it five times, ignition off and full choke. Then turned on the ignition pulled the crank once and I was absolutely surprised, the car seemed to explode to life and stay running. Its the best I have seen it run since I have had it in 2006. There is more power and it seems to run cooler. I guess I am going to have to get in the habit of cleaning plugs and timer contacts in the spring before the driving season. Based on my experience yesterday, it doesn't seem that the compression readings of 38 psi, 41 psi, 37 psi and 37 psi are an issue. Thanks for all your help. Ed
Yesterday I finally had some time to take a closer look. I verified good gas flow, installed new spark plugs that had been on the shelf too long and took apart the Anderson timer. I cleaned the contacts in the timer and re-adjusted the timing so that at just past TDC the first plug would fire. I hadn't had the timer open in three years since I installed it. I did have the timing too retarded at full lever up. I must admit this car scares me and I don't like messing around with the timer unless I have to although I have never had a problem with the crank on start up. I just have a healthy respect for this timing process.
Yesterday I got everything back together, took a deep breath and cranked it five times, ignition off and full choke. Then turned on the ignition pulled the crank once and I was absolutely surprised, the car seemed to explode to life and stay running. Its the best I have seen it run since I have had it in 2006. There is more power and it seems to run cooler. I guess I am going to have to get in the habit of cleaning plugs and timer contacts in the spring before the driving season. Based on my experience yesterday, it doesn't seem that the compression readings of 38 psi, 41 psi, 37 psi and 37 psi are an issue. Thanks for all your help. Ed
