QuestionQUESTION: The diaphragm at the distributor must be ruptured and will not hold any vacuum. Consequently the engine stumbles on acceleration until the centrifugal catches up. While the unit is held on by 2 screws, I can't find one with any of the suppliers I have looked at. Do you have any idea where I can find one or improve the centrifugal capability?
ANSWER: Hi Frank,
The vacuum advance and centrifugal advance work under different circumstances so one can't take the place of the other. You may be able to set the timing so as to be a compromise. Have you tried Moss Motors, British Victoria, The Roadster Factory or Engel Imports? One of these should have an advance unit. I think your car has a vacuum retard unit not an advance unit. What is the number on the dist? and is your unit mounted on a box on the side of the dist? or is it mounted directly on the dist?
If it is a retard unit it is easier to adjust the timing to counter the missing unit.
To adjust the springs in the centrifugal advance to counter act the loss of a vacuum retard unit can be done but it would difficult to do without the use of a distributor machine. If you have a local race car shop they may be able to help. Let me know,
Howard
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: 1-Does the fiber splash guard alongside the engine serve a purpose other than cleanliness of the engine compartment or warming the engine quicker? Mine is in bad shape and only using the car during the summer I am more concerned about keeping it cool.
2-In a parade yesterday, my electric cooling fan died and the car overheated. After cooling it down my red ign light now stays on after the engine is running. Any ideas?
3-Does a functioning EGR valve actually make the engine run better? Or, so long as it isn't leaking vacuum at the manifold or through the valve does it actually run better?
Thx,
Frank
AnswerHi Frank,
1, Any shields after the radiator will have no effect on cooling.
2. The "IGN" light is the charge light and has nothing to do with ignition other than to tell you that you have the key on.
You need to put a volt meter across the battery and read voltage, (12+ Volts) Then start the engine and set it at a fast idle (1500 RPM) and read battery voltage again (13.8v to 14.5v normal).
The ign light on when above idle means the charging system has a problem. Check the belts first, as that my be why it over heated too.
3. Answer - "NO", EGR routs exhaust gas into the intake to dilute the fuel/air mixture to cut down on NOX in the exhaust emissions. NOX is the nitrogen in the combustion chamber burning due mainly to an over heated combustion chamber which was the result of the manufacture attempting to clean up emissions. I think by federal and most state laws you are not allowed to remove EGR from an engine.
However, as far as the engine is concerned, you will allow the combustion chamber to raise in temperature which can cause other problems.
Most race car builders remove EGR but have to take steps in fuel mixture and ignition timing to correct the resulting combustion chamber temperature.
Howard
