<VV> Old timer timing

[djtcz at comcast.net]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "PETER INMAN" < monza1965 at yahoo.com > 
Subject: <VV> Mechanical advance 

Today an old Corvair guy, (85) visited me and helped me figure out what my 
problem was on my 61 Rampside. It just wasnt running strong at above 
midrange speeds. I tried everything and couldnt solve the problem. What I 
love about the older guys is they just lean over and listen, think for a few 
minutes and make a wild guess at whats ailing and seems like every time get 
it right. After some thought he said its in the ignition. Didnt hardly think 
so because everything was new and set to the best of my ability. I`ve been 
weeks working at this. Well out came the distributer, totally disasembled 
every part and put the touch on the mechanical advance parts. He said the 
counter weights wernt working properly and when its all togher we should see 
an improvement. An hour later went for a spin and couldnt believe how much 
power that 80 HP has. He said he knows that the 80 will top out good because 
his 60 had no problem going over 80MPH and what fun it is hearing 
stories from guys way ahead of their time talk about how much they loved 
their Corvairs. A couple times I have gone to him for help and he gets it 
every time. 
This story is to give praise to all the old timers and thank you all for the 
things learned over time and the wisdom that comes with age. I hope someday 
to be able to help others with Corvair problems. I know things that I learn 
from my piers I will never forget. Lessons well learned. 
Still stumbles a little at no throtle in high gear around town. Any ideas? 

Pete Inman 
61 Rampside 80 
65 Monza 110 


================================== 


With all due respect to you and your old timer, I suspect an extra minute spent with a timing light attached would likely have shown the centrifugal advance was misbehaving. 


In the 1965 Shop manual the Engine Tune up section ( 6-0 thru 6-9) the step immediately after setting the basic ignition timing (with a light) i s "Check operation of centrifugal advance mechanism by accelerating engine and watchng clockwise (advance) movement of timing mark." But before setting the ignition timing the dwell was checked, with the requirement that it be steady and in specification at a few engine speeds. In that same Tune up section even before the "instrument check-out," and before the points were being replaced and set with a feeler gage, the centrifugal and vacuum advance were to receive a few test twists to confirm freedom of movement, and a consistent return to their home positions. 


I'm not saying every tech at every Chevy dealer did tune-ups following every step, but those factory procedures were crafted to lead a tech through the steps required to do a good, thorough, job in a reasonably efficient sequence. 


Some procedures even begin with instructions to "Examine xxxx and clean or replace if necessary." Those were very different times. 


Dan T