<VV> Fwd: Old timer timing

[Ken Pepke]

A timing light would give a backyard mechanic a clue.  Knowing what kind of car with which they are dealing is an important part of diagnosing problems to an experienced mechanic.  I would suspect, if the vehicle was running as the mechanic [no such thing as a 'tech' back then] approached, he would see what kind of car it is and already suspect one of two possibilities just by the sound.  Experience and feel will allow him to hone in on the problem without ever cracking open a book.  If a repair is needed an experienced mechanic will probably not 'follow the book' in any repair job because it just is not necessary to start with the radiator cap [oops, sorry :-)] and end with the tailpipe.  

'Techs' of today will almost never be in that position.  The nature of electronics renders examination useless.  Most of the time a 'tech' must rely upon their diagnostic equipment [their 'book'.] 

Ken P
Wyandotte, MI
Worry looks around; Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.

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> With all due respect to you and your old timer, I suspect an extra minute spent with a timing light attached would likely have shown the centrifugal advance was misbehaving. 
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> In the 1965 Shop manual the Engine Tune up section ( 6-0 thru 6-9) the step immediately after setting the basic ignition timing (with a light) i s "Check operation of centrifugal advance mechanism by accelerating engine and watchng clockwise (advance) movement of timing mark." But before setting the ignition timing the dwell was checked, with the requirement that it be steady and in specification at a few engine speeds. In that same Tune up section even before the "instrument check-out," and before the points were being replaced and set with a feeler gage, the centrifugal and vacuum advance were to receive a few test twists to confirm freedom of movement, and a consistent return to their home positions. 
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> I'm not saying every tech at every Chevy dealer did tune-ups following every step, but those factory procedures were crafted to lead a tech through the steps required to do a good, thorough, job in a reasonably efficient sequence. 
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> Some procedures even begin with instructions to "Examine xxxx and clean or replace if necessary." Those were very different times. 
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> Dan T