Champion Timing Help

[JohnM15]

Finely got the carb squared away and fixing it didn't reduce the gray/black smoke (not blue as in burning oil). So I figured that the timing must be awry so I hook up the timing light and it shows no change when reving the engine. Shouldn't the timing advance with engine RPM? The shop manual doesn't speak to HOW to set the timing and what marks on the damper is what timing. Do I disconnect the vacuum advance hose (and plug the carb hose) to set the timing?

[christophe]

Hi John,

Yes, when you use the timing light, you should see the ignition point getting forward as you rev the engine. The vaccum hose must be disconnected to avoid its effects during the timing. You must also plug the corrsponding hole of the carb to avoid air in excess during the setting. The IGN mark should be in front of the pointer at 550 rpm.
Best of luck.

[JohnM15]

Thanks Christophe. I disassembled the distributor and found the vacuum advance to be defunct (perforated diaphragm) and the mechanical advance to worn out. It appears that one of the weight pins has worn a notch in one of the cam plate slots. Ordered a new vacuum advance but have not decided what to do about the cam plate slot. Have not found one for sale so I may either fill the notch with a welder and file it to shape (and maybe temper it) OR, using a punch, squish the metal near the slot to move the slot surface in line. Either way, a stop gap measure.

[christophe]

You should maybe try to find an other distributor for parts. I don't think this would cost a lot and you could make one out of the two. I've had to do this on the side of the road on a 1953 Dyna Panhard recently. This transformed what was a miserable slug into a roaring messerschmidt!

[JohnM15]

I have been eyeing a 1GC-4802 on ebay for $100 but not sure about the condition and whether a 1GC-4802 is close enough to a 1GC-4805 for parts...

[Tom Bredehoft]

I have been eying a 1GC-4802 on eBay for $100 but not sure about the condition and whether a 1GC-4802 is close enough to a 1GC-4805 for parts...

They were conceivably made minutes apart, certainly would be close enough.

[christophe]

Check these two links:
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/444.cfm
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/448.cfm
You'll find the specifications. As this is not a competion engine, I think there won't be any trouble. Besides, the original timing of the distributor needs sometimes to be adjusted in regard of modern gasoline. As long as the engine is not ticking, you ca

[christophe]

Sorry, I made a mistake and my message was truncated.
As long as the engine is not ticking, you can add advance to the ignition. That's what I wanted to say!

To tom: I received the last TW this week and read about your 50 th wedding anniversary. Receive all my congratulations.

[JohnM15]

I 'm on the right track now, thanx for all the help.