Timing problems

alfred · Post by **alfred** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 7:41 am

I am having problems timing my engine. A simple problem no, number 1 and number 2 spark plugs acts like they are not firing, but numbers 3 and 4 are firing. Plugs and wirers are new and the engine is rebuilt with hydraulic lifters and camshaft. What could cause this problem?

PLEASE HELP,

Alfred

phrankentruk · Post by **phrankentruk** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 8:03 am

Was it running fine & then suddenly not, or were you working on it. If you had the wires off make sure you havn't switched the wires. Firing order is 1432.

If it suddenly stopped working, pull the plugs out and see what they look like. Are they black and wet? (oil fouled-got a real problem). Are they black and dry? (carbon fouled-too much gas (choke maybe) or not enough spark, or timing off). Do they look fine (no spark at all, or sparking fine but no gas at all, or no/low compression-pull off cover & check valves).

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Tracy's Ghia Page www.festivalworld.com/tracy

alfred · Post by **alfred** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 8:40 am

I just installed the engine and firing order is correct. Car will crank, but runs very bad. Number 1 has compression and pluges have a dark color to them (1 and 2). 3 and 4 are blacker than 1 and 2. Pluges are not wet. I should not have to adjust valves with hydraulic lifters,should I?

Hank Winning · Post by **Hank Winning** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 9:05 am

What motor are you using and what is it in?
hank

alfred · Post by **alfred** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 2:35 pm

I am using a 1641cc engine with 041(39mm intake & 32mm exhaust valves) heads, but I am using a stock carburetor(31 pict). The carb. is set at stock specs. I am starting to think that the stock carb is the problem, a lack of gas in the cylinders causing only two plugs to fire (3& 4). If this is a possiblity, what is the best way to correct it?

alfred · Post by **alfred** » Sun Jan 20, 2002 2:38 pm

Hello hank,

I forget to tell you its in a 72 Karmann Ghia convert.

Alfred

phrankentruk · Post by **phrankentruk** » Thu Jan 24, 2002 8:24 am

You didn't actually say but it sounds like you just installed this motor and it hasn't run right yet. If that's the case I would check to make sure the cam timing is correct. They may have got it one tooth off when they assembled the motor. On the aircooled motor though, I don't think that's an easy task. If you're using the same carb, distributer, etc. that you had before though, I would be suspect of the new motor first. What's the chance of you coil going bad while it sat idle? You said cyl. 3 & 4 were the worst but that cyl. 1 had compression. How much compression? Why did you check cyl 1 if 3 & 4 are worse? If the cam timing , ignition timing, and compression are good, a dry black plug is carbon fouled. Too much gas or not enough spark. Since all four plugs are dark it's likely the carb/choke or a weak coil. The pict 31 is not the problem if it's truly set stock and working properly although a pict 34 would be better for that motor.
We are actually having this very same problem right now. After messing with the choke, checking the wires, replacing the cap & rotor, checking the compression, and checking the timing I posted a question in this forum about metering the coil. The spark looked weak to me. I got an answer back and checked the coil and found that the resistance was too high accross the + and - terminals. I haven't posted anything there about it yet because I'm still waiting for the new coil to arrive.

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"People who busy themselves telling what can't be done only annoy those of us out there doing it."
Tracy's Ghia Page www.festivalworld.com/tracy

kar · Post by **kar** » Thu Jan 24, 2002 6:40 pm

Hello Tracy'

Thank you for your responds to my problem. I haven't worked on my car this week, but I will be this weekend. I am using the same parts off my old engine, but everything is new except for the distributer. I will replace it first before I look for the worst(cam timing).

Thank you,
alfred