<VV> Re: [fastvair] More ummph needed

[Larry Forman]

At 10:07 AM 7/23/2004 -0400, BEllison@bbafiberweb.com wrote:
>Distributor mech advance weights are installed correctly.  (checked just
>last night - No ideas as to specs of springs)  When the weights go out, the
>rotor would turn MORE clockwise - as per Bob Helt's book.
>Timing is set around 14-16, and both vac and mech advance working.  We can
>get more out of it, if we advance it for temporary autocross, but she pings
>during daily driving.
>Bosch platinum plugs, set at .040.
>Still running points - set around 16-18.
>Stock Coil
>
>Any other ideas?
>
>Barry Ellison

Hi Barry,
Here is what I would recommend in addition to all the other excellent 
comments and suggestions:
1. Replace plugs with 7502 Bosch Super Coppers (cheap and because) and use 
a Flamethrower ignition coil or another good high output coil.  Never 
consider running with stock 40 year old ignition coils.
2. Check your vacuum advance operation with a hand vacuum pump, aka 
Mitivac.  My bet is that it starts moving at less than 6 and should not 
move until about 9 or 10 inches of vacuum.  If it is less you can 
"recalibrate" it by first removing it and placing it on a set of vice jaws 
or between two bricks and with a 9/16 and 5/8 inch deep sockets placed over 
the hose nipple, bang on the end neatly compressing it so the weak spring 
is compressed slightly and closer to stock operation.  I see nearly every 
one of these with too weak spring which causes the advance to come on too 
fast under light throttle off idle.
3. You could consider getting a water injection system, like the Edelbrock 
or something else and see if that might eliminate the knock/pinging.  This 
is maybe $70 off eBay and might work or be worth trying, BUT see #4 
below.  The potential problem is running out of water or not hearing the 
pinging or knocking.  My ears don't hear it as well as others do, so I 
really need something that protects the engine better than I can do.
4. My bets are with Ray Sedman's Safeguard Ignition system.  I have two of 
these and they are all they are advertised for eliminating pinging or 
knock.  I just purchased a spare cable set so I can move one around between 
various cars.  Personally, I like using the Ignitor I to drive these, since 
I don't need to adjust the points, ever.  Don't use an Ignitor II with the 
Safeguard since both have dwell modification circuits which are not 
compatible with each other.
5. Regardless of what approach you take, ensure you are not driving with 
pinging or knocking and thus potentially damaging all your hard investment 
in that engine.

-- Larry