6 replies to this topic

[zebigfatman]

Hi everyone! Me again....

 

This is not urgent but still very annoying. I have an old spi 1275 engine which has just been re built with carbs and a 286 cam. The basic question is do you need a special distributor with this camshaft? 

 

I ask because when the car is cold, it will not start. In order to start it you have to retard the ignition timing by somewhere between 50-80 degrees. Then, in order to get the car to drive you have to advance the timing again.

 

The idle is lumpy at this point but pulls very well.

 

Once the engine is hot it will start in with the distributor in the advanced position. 

 

The distributor is a brand new ACCUspark. I have checked the ignition advance by sucking on the end of the hose and it works. The vacuum line has no splits, but when the car is running there seems to be no advance.

 

The only thing I can think of is the distributor is wrong for the application.

 

Cheers for the help in advance!

[nicklouse]

you don't need anything special  you may need to have the total advance changed but not much else.

 

ran a 286 with the old points dizzy for years. it had some small adjustments when set up on the rollers.

 

you either have build or dizzy issues.

[Dusky]

50-80 degrees retarded? Are you sure Its using a carb dizzy and not the weightless spi dizzy? Checked with a timing light?

[cal844]

50-80 degrees retarded? Are you sure Its using a carb dizzy and not the weightless spi dizzy? Checked with a timing light?

OP states it has vacuum advance

Which I'd guess is causing the issues?

Edited by cal844, 12 June 2018 - 12:24 PM.

[zebigfatman]

Yeah its deffo not the spi dizzy because the spi one only had HT leads, no other wiring for points ect.
I Honestly got no idea what is causing it. Might see if I can borrow another dizzy because the car runs really well otherwise.

[russo]

Sounds like the valve timing is not set up correctly.

[Dusky]

 

50-80 degrees retarded? Are you sure Its using a carb dizzy and not the weightless spi dizzy? Checked with a timing light?

OP states it has vacuum advance

Which I'd guess is causing the issues?

 

 

 

Yeah its deffo not the spi dizzy because the spi one only had HT leads, no other wiring for points ect.
I Honestly got no idea what is causing it. Might see if I can borrow another dizzy because the car runs really well otherwise.

How did you 'measure' the 50-80° retarded ignition? 
I've had a few high compression engines where 4-5° more advance made it impossible to start.
Sounds a bit like you're measuring advance on the wrong lead.