Houston 1966 305 Dream Log

bigscooter · Post by **bigscooter** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:30 pm

hey Bob. if you're using a continuity tester, you might need to unplug the condenser from the circuit to get a clean reading.... if i remember correctly.

CliffC · Post by **CliffC** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:19 pm

Ed, Bob, a big thank you. Cliff C

Bob Dale · Post by **Bob Dale** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:41 pm

That might explain the problem that I have had in setting the gap tonight. I finally got it to where the timing light is firing roughly on F at a slow idle but I was not able to do it with the meter. I see a constant 12 volts no matter if the points are opened or closed. I was afraid something was shorted but I will try it with the condenser unplugged to see if that works better. I will also be buying a new test light to try it that way but it seems to me that if I am reading 12v on the meter I would be seeing it on the light as well. To get the timing to read correctly I just kept closing the gap more and more until it was there. It bounces around a little but I think that's the advance kicking in as the rpms vary.

Results...its running terrible! The timing reads correctly but its running rough, not burning all of the gas and fouling plugs quickly. I am resisting other modifications until I can get a test light and confirm that the points are opening correctly at F and that there is not in fact a short. If that all checks out then I guess I am back to carb settings and jets? The odd thing is that for about 15 minutes a couple of nights ago it seemed to be running great...no gas smell and no noticeable carb soot. I need to check the astrology charts and see where the moon was on that night.

bigscooter wrote:hey Bob. if you're using a continuity tester, you might need to unplug the condenser from the circuit to get a clean reading.... if i remember correctly.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:50 pm

Bob. What type of light are ya using? Make a brake light with wires and alligator clips and don't run the engine just do a static adjustment. PLEASE go to my earlier 2 requests and set the points open/close to "F". Or call me at the number I gave ya when ya are at the bike. I think you are working to hard and not getting to where I think you need to be to get this engine running..................lm

Bob Dale wrote:That might explain the problem that I have had in setting the gap tonight. I finally got it to where the timing light is firing roughly on F at a slow idle but I was not able to do it with the meter. I see a constant 12 volts no matter if the points are opened or closed. I was afraid something was shorted but I will try it with the condenser unplugged to see if that works better. I will also be buying a new test light to try it that way but it seems to me that if I am reading 12v on the meter I would be seeing it on the light as well. To get the timing to read correctly I just kept closing the gap more and more until it was there. It bounces around a little but I think that's the advance kicking in as the rpms vary.

Results...its running terrible! The timing reads correctly but its running rough, not burning all of the gas and fouling plugs quickly. I am resisting other modifications until I can get a test light and confirm that the points are opening correctly at F and that there is not in fact a short. If that all checks out then I guess I am back to carb settings and jets? The odd thing is that for about 15 minutes a couple of nights ago it seemed to be running great...no gas smell and no noticeable carb soot. I need to check the astrology charts and see where the moon was on that night.

bigscooter wrote:hey Bob. if you're using a continuity tester, you might need to unplug the condenser from the circuit to get a clean reading.... if i remember correctly.

Bob Dale · Post by **Bob Dale** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:19 pm

LM...I am just using a cheapo voltage meter but couldnt get it to react when the points opened. I am not running the engine while doing the adjustment. Its getting a consistent 12 volts and consistent continuity in both the open and closed positions with one lead on the wire and the other grounded to the engine. I tried to set the points to open at F by the "thin paper" method that I have seen elsewhere but that still did not result in the timing coming around far enough with the timing light, which is also supposed to indicate "open at F"...correct? Therefore, until I get a proper light, I continued to adjust blindly until the timing light read correctly. I intend to pick up a test light tomorrow and try it again the right way. If it doesnt work immediately I would love to call and have you talk me through it.

Bob Dale · Post by **Bob Dale** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 9:12 pm

Had a good phone call with LM tonight and got the timing set but still running very rich. Pulled the carb and went back to the original main jet that was smaller than what came with the rebuild kit. Also raised the float a little just to be sure that wasnt the problem. And LM, I checked for the brass guide at the bottom of the carb needle and it is there. Got it all back together and ran it around the block. It felt great...smooth power all the way through the rpm range. Pulled the plugs after less than 5 minutes and they are solid black again! I gave up for the night while I think of the next step. Maybe further adjustments to the air/fuel mixture screw or a new, smaller idle jet? But it was good progress tonight...thanks LM.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:29 am

You're welcome Bob. What size are the jets?. ..............lm

Bob Dale wrote:Had a good phone call with LM tonight and got the timing set but still running very rich. Pulled the carb and went back to the original main jet that was smaller than what came with the rebuild kit. Also raised the float a little just to be sure that wasnt the problem. And LM, I checked for the brass guide at the bottom of the carb needle and it is there. Got it all back together and ran it around the block. It felt great...smooth power all the way through the rpm range. Pulled the plugs after less than 5 minutes and they are solid black again! I gave up for the night while I think of the next step. Maybe further adjustments to the air/fuel mixture screw or a new, smaller idle jet? But it was good progress tonight...thanks LM.