[TR] Ignition question (and hello!)

[Wbeech]

Malcolm,
You are right to think electrical as long as your fuel problem is not
starvation.  You should be able to check your timing with a light and see if
the low and high RPM setting are within spec.

Breaking down under a load, as you describe, seems more to point to one of
the following: Points too closely set, bad plug(s), bad plug wires, weak
coil or bad condenser.  I would check through these things in this order and
I bet you fix it so you can be on the road again by the weekend.

Good luck,
Bill

Bill Beecher
'58 TR3A TS/30766L "Tarbaby"
'62 TR3B TCF/2549L
www.triumphowners.com/1566
'68 Land Rover Series IIa 88" "The Beast"
"If you think you have everything under control... You're driving too slow"
M.Andretti


-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Malcolm
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 1:34 AM
To: triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: [TR] Ignition question (and hello!)

Hello list,

It's been a very long time since I have sent a message to the team.net list
Triumph.  Some of you may remember me!

Anyway, I have now got enough time on my hands to tinker again with my 1962
TR4.  Also, this year it is fifty years old, so I feel somewhat obligated to
pay attention to it.  I've got a bunch of new parts on it now, including a
stainless exhaust and new tacho/speedo cables, and have been trying to get
it to run properly.

I have fairly bad backfiring (through the carbs) under load when
accelerating.  I have balanced the carb inlets, the mixture seems OK, and
I've done the static timing.  I have new air filters (K&N) on order.  I
suspect that this is an ignition problem, though, and the Haynes manual is
dismal when it comes to troubleshooting the distributor.  Nearly every test
involves "compare your stuff with new parts, and replace them if they are
worn out".

My big question is: how much should I be able to rotate the distributor
rotor?  A little?  A lot?  15 degrees?  30?  Should it snap back to a
position at rest or just flop around?  I am trying to tell if the
centrifugal advance springs need replacement.

Will the K&N filters require me to fiddle with the timing?  They are
56-9327: http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=56-9327

Has anyone got glowing recommendations, or horror stories, for electronic
ignition?  I've been scouring the Web and so far have not found a clear
winner.  I could rebuild the points (a la Distributor Doctor, or Advanced
Distributors) - or get Petronix, Hot-Spark, or some other drop-in electronic
replacement.

I am not building a concours car.  I want it to be reliable, running on pump
gas, with minimal roadside surprises.

Thanks!
-Malcolm

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