Engine running rough

Ricosan said:
Are these distributors adjustable by rotating?
Rich
Click to expand...
Yes.

The stock distributor can only go back on the car in one position as flatjack9 said. The stock distributor's timing is set before reinstalling on the car.

But this aftermarket Mallory distributor is different, has key-slots on the distributor's mounting base. This allows for a huge range of timing adjustment after installed on the car. So yes, should have marked a key slot before removing. And these engines do not have a timing mark on the crank pully for adjusting timing with a timing light.

So I would suggest you now go trial and error. Loosen the three mounting bolts and rotate the distributor bit-by-bit until you can get it to fire. Rotate a bit, tighten one bolt, and get your hands out of there before cranking. Caution: don't attempt to rotate while engine is cranking! Repeat until hopefully the timing gets close enough to fire: loosen, rotate a bit, tighten, hands out of there, crank.
 
Before going thru all that, might want to verify that the distributor is producing any spark at all. Pull a spark plug lead off a plug and hold near a ground (cylinder head) to verify there is spark.
 
Reinstalled the distributor with original condenser. Tubman condenser on the way.

Couldn’t make out the mark i made with a felt tip marker so I just winged it. First attempt with the help of a can of starter spray it started but backfired. I moved the distributor a little further counter clockwise but it was worse. Moved about 1/2 in back clockwise and no back firing but running rich. It runs rough as if it has an extremely aggressive cam.
I don’t know much about this engine except it’s easy on the eye and it was built by H&H.
Now to figure out what’s going on with the carburetors running so rich.

Thanks to everyone of you for your help and comments. I’m learning so much from you!

Richard
 
Hey Guys,

Tweaked the distributor just a little counter clockwise. Maybe 1/16 of an inch and the engine settled down. Idle not so edgy but still smelling of gas. Good throttle response in the garage. A road test is next but it’s too hot to test drive today(over 91 already. Will try in the morning.

Richard
 
Hey guys,
Update:

Installed Two of Charlie’s rebuilt vintage carburetors and my engine runs smooth as silk. Took it for an extended ride around the neighborhood and finally ventured out onto a four lane. I think we got up to about 50mph. No burps or misses! Yahoo!

Thanks to all of you who helped me with this problem. I am learning so much. I guess this is another example of an electrical problem being fuel related!

Now on to the next problem..

Richard
 
Re: Columbia not engaging

Hey Guys,
 

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Hey guys,
Update:

Installed Two of Charlie’s rebuilt vintage carburetors and my engine runs smooth as silk. Took it for an extended ride around the neighborhood and finally ventured out onto a four lane. I think we got up to about 50mph. No burps or misses! Yahoo!

Thanks to all of you who helped me with this problem. I am learning so much. I guess this is another example of an electrical problem being fuel related!

Now on to the next problem..

Richard
 
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