Timing, By hand? Options

[Boothy]

Greetings all!
I haven't bothered you guys in over a year I think -you're welcome.

Last fall the new engine started smoking and the tail pipes were black. Sluggish. I think I rejetted at some point but can't recall. Naturally I assumed I burned something up or broke a ring etc. so I put it under a cover for the winter. Bought a compression tester but I was so fed up I just said screw it till spring.

Refreshed and ready to look at it again, I looked online thinking I'll start with jetting. I have Weber 40s on a 1.7 punched out to 2.0. I was at 185 mains but another AI search (I know I'll hear about that) said go to 1.15 mains and 2.00 air correction. Seemed to cleanup last night and I'll run it some more today. But now it pops a little on deceleration. Sounds better -cleaner.

Looking the popping might be a too lean condition, air leak near the exhaust flange, etc. BUT, I had a lot of trouble with the timing mark on the fan so I'm not 100% sure I have it where it's supposed to be. Despite multiple efforts (looking at lots of pictures of the fan marks) I'm just not sure. I know it sounds hack but I'm wondering if I can advance the 123 distributor a little at a time manually.

I'll do a compression test tomorrow to be sure but thought I'd throw it out to the gods.

Thanks in advance!

[emerygt350]

Did you test the compression?

I time mine off the mark on the flywheel. If you have carbs that will be easier than using the fan and no questions about what you are looking at. It is tdc for 1. Just look at the flywheel at the top rear engine window and align the mark with the case halves seam.

[brant]

You have to have the timing correct first before you can tune the carbs

[Superhawk996]

You have to have the timing correct first before you can tune the carbs

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) x 10

[Boothy]

Okay. Thank you. Forgot about the flywheel. What about advance?

[BillC]

Okay. Thank you. Forgot about the flywheel. What about advance?

Easiest way is to buy or borrow a timing light with built-in advance offset. That way, you set the timing light to the desired advance value (I think stock is 27degrees) and adjust the distributor until the flywheel mark lines up with the case.

[emerygt350]

Since you have a 123 you need to set it up as the directions describe then go from there. If you were questioning your marks when you were setting it up it might be worth double checking with the flywheel to verify it is set correctly. Bluetooth or non-bluetooth 123? Timing greatly affects vacuum, and vacuum greatly affects the carb tune so you need to feel good about your timing before you play with the carb.

[Boothy]

The 123 is not Bluetooth but I set it up as directed.

I'll let some moths out and get the better timing light. Thanks for all the help!!!!

[emerygt350]

The 123 is not Bluetooth but I set it up as directed.

I'll let some moths out and get the better timing light. Thanks for all the help!!!!

I have the non-bluetooth as well. What preset are you using and are you hooking it up to ported vacuum?

[Boothy]

As always, thank you guys.

I pulled the sheet metal off the back of the engine bay so I can see the timing marks on the flywheel. Once I find that mark I'll drill a mark on the fan shroud so I know where TDC is. The markings on the fan are so fuzzy that I'm not sure where I am. Going to the flywheel is the right idea. PITA to get the tin off but do it right -finally.

I was confident that I followed the 123 instructions but I started again just in case I missed something. I also bought the timing light with the advance settings (instead of my Sears light from the 80s). Oddly enough the first review on the one I bought was from a guy "I finally got the timing right on my 914 with this." Gods are smiling.

For those of you who haven't heard this story, I used to go with my buddies in high school to a junk yard in a shitty part of town. We'd buy a bag of GI quarts (beer) and climb to the highest car on the pile and watch the action in the yard (always entertaining). One of the cars we sat in to pass the day was a wrecked 914. I used to say "This is really cool." It took 50 years but I finally have one and I'm not giving up. My son always says "Really?" but it's one of those things you can't explain.

Thanks again!!!!!!