54 rough idle

[Guy M.]

My chasis engine is running a bit rough at idle and has a bit of backfire when on a hard accel. Will these engines run with the distributer off a tooth? Had it at TDC and the rotor points to #1. The vacuume line to wiper motor is open. Runs worse if closed. Carbs appear to be working good. All cylinders are firing as I checked each by removing wires. It really seems like timing is the issue. The backfire (pop) is on the right side Any advice? Thanks again!

[Edward J.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Guy, have you check the smiple things like dwell, or set the point gap, set the timing with a timing light, carb. mixture. if there still a problem I would suspect a vacuum leak,if you cup your hand and hold it over one of the carb.s ( not completly leave some room for some air to get by) see if it smooths out.If it does, start looking for a vacuum leak.

[Cathy S.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Syncing the carbs really smoothed mine out.

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 rough idle

sound like your off a tooth
if it runs worse.... with the wiper switch open - meaning it is running wayyyyyy rich....
something is not right

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Is the timing pointer lined up with the "ball" on the flywheel at # 1 TDC
should be dead on
rotor at #1
#1 piston at TDC

[Guy M.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Ill start with moving the distributer one tooth in either direction to narrow down the timing issue. The dwell is ok. It probably is running rich as the plugs are pretty black. Stumbles more with the wiper line plugged, not sure what that means. Thanks for all the help.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Guy,

I don't Know much about how the wipers work on a 54 but that's a vacuum leak with the line open. If you plug the line and the engine runs bad it's flooding. Can you lean the carburetors, also, the spark plugs are probably soot fouled by now so you may have two issues at this point.

[Cathy S.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Also if it stumbling the vacuum advance could be inop.

[Edward J.]

Re: 54 rough idle

Guy, if the spark plugs are black you have excessive fuel be feed into engine, Have you looked into carb. while engine is running to make sure you don't see fuel dripping into engine while cars is running?heavy float will cause this or float level thats to high.