[TR] weird distributor "out of phase" problem--It's alliiive!

[Dixie4]

I pleased to hear you have resolved your problem.
It is amazing how such a small problem or oversight can cause so much grief.

Adrian
Wales UK.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Gaines" <mtgaines at presby.edu>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 4:08 PM
Subject: Re: [TR] weird distributor "out of phase" problem--It's alliiive!


> Three years ago, when my Spit engine problem first developed, I had found 
> a very small tear in the piston diaphragm and replaced it with a new one. 
> That didn't fix the problem, and I ended up letting the whole thing go at 
> the time.  So, last week, when I took the carb apart piece by piece, I 
> concentrated on everything but the diaphragm, especially the intricate 
> autochoke with its bimetal spring, stepped cams, vacuum piston, etc.  I 
> did look at the diaphragm, but since it looked good, I left it alone. 
> Yesterday I unscrewed the chamber cover again and lifted out the piston 
> and diaphragm.  The diaphragm has two little raised tabs, one that fits 
> into an indent in the ring around the piston and one for an indent in the 
> outer ring of the chamber body.  The one for the body wasn't in place.  I 
> was careless 3 years ago, and then again last week.  I put it right, 
> tightened the cover down, and gave the key a turn.  It started 
> immediately!  The engine was smooth, the rpms were just about righ
> t, and as it warmed the rpms dropped as they should if the autochoke is 
> working.  I guess that misplaced tab made for a small vacuum leak, just 
> like the original problem.  It probably needs a little adjustment with the 
> timing light, and I plan to do that later, but it is very close to perfect 
> now.  Finally.
>
> Tim Gaines
> Clinton, SC
> 1980 Spitfire
> 1974 TR6
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tim Gaines" <mtgaines at presby.edu>
> To: triumphs at autox.team.net
> Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2015 11:47:46 PM
> Subject: Re: [TR] weird distributor "out of phase" problem
>
> Thanks to all who have ruled out my timing chain theory.  I'm relieved I 
> don't have to get into that!  Though I WAS sure at the time that I had 
> cylinder #1 at tdc on the compression stroke, I am backtracking now.  I 
> had been checking the clearances on all of the valves and after that I 
> really thought I had cycled back to the compression stroke on #1 but . . . 
> I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I go out and take a look.
>
> My big surprise was that the distributor would only fit in one 
> orientation.  That would be a very good design I guess, but I had always 
> heard that it was very easy to get it wrong.  Was it really designed that 
> way, or is there something special (damage) about mine?
>
> Thanks again,
> Tim
>
>
> ** triumphs at autox.team.net **
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