[TR] Distributor question

[Randall]

As a friend of mine says, one test is worth a thousand theories.  Hook up a
timing light and watch what the timing does when the idle is rough.  If it
puts on a light show, you've got distributor problems.  If not, you need to
look elsewhere.

Next place to look would be carb synchronization.  The rubber hose trick is
good enough, just use a chunk of hose to listen to the hiss at each carb
intake.  If they all sound the same, the carbs are synchronized.

Adrian's suggestion of a vacuum leak is good, too.

When you've exhausted all other possibilities, I'd start being suspicious of
that "warmed over" cam.  It's not unheard-of for aftermarket parts to be
defective, and one lobe slightly out of place (or a bent camshaft) can
certainly affect idle quality.  Get a dial indicator and a degree wheel,
check that all the valves open and close when they should.

Although the Crane will compensate to a large extent for slop in the shaft,
it can't do anything for wear/damage to the centrifugal advance mechanism.

-- Randall