Set Timing on 1964 Comet w/ 200
Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:30 pm
Hi everyone! I need some advice on ignition timing in my 1964 Mercury Comet. I have what I believe to be a 200 6 cylinder (5 frost plugs) w/ two speed automatic transmission that I have given a tune up but seem to be overheating a bit now. I don't think I have it timed correctly.
I know you typically have to remove the line from the vacuum advance to set timing but when I do this, I don't see anything lining up with the timing marks on the harmonic balancer. If I check timing with the vacuum advance connected I can see the timing indicator line up with a mark on the harmonic balancer.
Questions:
1. Do I need to remove the vacuum advance on this engine to set timing?
2. When the vacuum line has been removed do I just plug the line going to the carb or do I also need to cover the opening in the vacuum advance?
3. What is correct point gap? (I've read either .25 or .017 with .025 being the most consistent answer for a 200 6 cylinder)
4. What is correct cold/warm idle speed to check timing. (I've read anything between 500 and 850 so not sure where to go with this)
5. Where is the correct screw to adjust the idle on the autolite 1100? Do I need to adjust cold and warm idle?
5. Am I going about this all wrong using a timing light and not simply using a vacuum gauge?
Basically looking for a step by step walk through starting with setting correct idle at the curb, dealing with point gap and dwell, and then setting ignition timing.
Thank you very much in advance for any help or feedback!
I know you typically have to remove the line from the vacuum advance to set timing but when I do this, I don't see anything lining up with the timing marks on the harmonic balancer. If I check timing with the vacuum advance connected I can see the timing indicator line up with a mark on the harmonic balancer.
Questions:
1. Do I need to remove the vacuum advance on this engine to set timing?
2. When the vacuum line has been removed do I just plug the line going to the carb or do I also need to cover the opening in the vacuum advance?
3. What is correct point gap? (I've read either .25 or .017 with .025 being the most consistent answer for a 200 6 cylinder)
4. What is correct cold/warm idle speed to check timing. (I've read anything between 500 and 850 so not sure where to go with this)
5. Where is the correct screw to adjust the idle on the autolite 1100? Do I need to adjust cold and warm idle?
5. Am I going about this all wrong using a timing light and not simply using a vacuum gauge?
Basically looking for a step by step walk through starting with setting correct idle at the curb, dealing with point gap and dwell, and then setting ignition timing.
Thank you very much in advance for any help or feedback!