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cam /distribitor problems

972 views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  keith ardley 
#1 ·
:?:Hi I hope there's someone that can help sort out my v8 60 have fitted a fast road cam along with a Malory electronic distribitor will start up on the button and if need be tick over all day but try to drive it and it just bogs down tickle the throttle and then its possible to get it to go but the same thing happens at the gear changes (by the way it has a c4 auto box )
had the carbs rebuilt,(twin strombergs no 81 ) been in to two well known hot rod shops with out any results just a big dent in my pocket sourly someone knows these engines after all thay were raced a lot in midgets :cry:
 
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#3 ·
how are the plugs looking rich /weak as the sympthoms could be down to either condition.

How are the twin carbs fitted up 2 on a common plenum or 2 feeding 4 cylinders?
new set of plugs black as soot have the smallest jets and pump settings rebuilt by stromberg (clive prew ) made a smashing job of them on a hollywood manifold not certain what is ment by plenum ?
But it seems as though 1 carb feeds each set of 4 pots i think ! As it wont run on the one tried that i wondered if its any thing to do with the auto box taking the vacuum from the manifold
 
#4 ·
The vacuum shouldn't as it's 'closed' circuit unlike a brake servo which loses the vacuum when operated .

Your answer re the carbs looks like it isn't over carbed. Do these carbs use power valves operated by engine vacuum ? It's possible that the wilder cam is losing engine vacuum and allowing the power valves too cut in too soon ( if they are fitted ?) .Has anyone done a vacuum check on the engine and compared it with the power valve ratings?
 
#6 ·
Keith, I'm no expert ( or even novice) on flatheads or Strombergs ,just applying basic knowledge to your problem. I'm surprised that 2 rodshops, presumably specialising in flatheads, couldn't sort it ? But if they do have power valves there are simple ways of immobilising them to rule them out of the equation.

Did you get any feedback as to possible causes from the shops involved ?
 
#8 ·
Does it rev up OK in neutral, i.e. just blipping the throttle?

Does it go better or worse with the choke set slightly?

What is the stall speed on the converter?

Do you know what the advance curve is in the distributor?

The power valves are mechanical on Strombergs, operated by the accelerator pump rod at wide open throttle, or there abouts.
 
#9 ·
Have you got a stock dizzy and inlet manifold to swap on? Best to try one thing at a time so you can single out the problem.
My normal firs port of call is that red caped git on the front (dizzy) as so many of the ones suplied for Flatheads have completly rong advance curves in them from the factory, but it is sortable.
But I cant help but think that 2 81's on a 60 with a bit of cam and an auto box is asking a tad to much. Those little 60's are very touchy on air flow ( you only port a full house 60 in a very light car as the ports are a tad to big to start off with) Too much air and they fall flat on there arse. That auto saps power also ad when you start niking power from an engine that was rated at 60hp on one of old Henry's very happy dino's you aint got much left to scoot down the road with and bugger all torque.
So my first try would be single 81 on a stock intake, If this improves the car you got it sussed. You realy should check out the advanse curve as well because of what I said earlyer.
Good luck let us know how it goes.
Martin.
 
#10 ·
Thanks Martin Think you are right I have dun so much to it but in no order so as you sagest put it all back to standard and go from there something to do over Christmas pity i got rid of the distribitor but i kno a man that has one i can borrower keep you informd thanks :bigsmile:
 
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