64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

[Larry M.]

I posted earlier with some neophyte questions on this topic and got some great help from William Clupper and Vinnie Peters. As a result I've gone through the ignition with a new import 091 coil (just to get my original off the car and save it), 1 7/16 reach rotor, new cap, CS7860 Echlin points and AC 45 plugs - wires seem OK. Set the dwell at 27-28 assuming that as the rubbing block wears it will increase slightly. Car starts and runs very well without the prior hesitation and flat spots. Had it up to 6000 RPM and all seems well. Also can use the "hot" starting procedure at lower engine temperature signaling that with a better spark I don't need as rich a starting mixture. But a couple of questions.

1. my timing tab is hidden behind the idler pulley adjustment stud. I can see 0 but not 10 degrees. If I measure the balancer and calc the 10 degree amount I can offset the timing mark with a peice of tape and time to the 0 mark but my question is - does having to do this seem right or is something wrong with the position of the timing scale?

2. the FI plenum makes is nearly impossible to get an allen wrench on the point screw so I adjusted the dwell by lifting the cap. Trial and error but still better than Ford. Is there a trick to this that someone can share?

3. even with a warm engine if I start it and want to go immediately it falters. If I let it run a minute and "stabilize" this seems to go away and I can start off in 1st gear at low RPM....maybe it needs to get to a stable fuel flow/mixture but I don't know. Any gearhead comment on this?

4. If I could buy AC C45 "commercial" plugs cheaper than AC 45 plugs would that make sense. Just looking at some dialog on the internet some folks say that it is a direct substitute with no downside....but I wonder?

[Alan D.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

1. Should not be, never had any problem seeing mine.
2. nc (have TI)
3 When hot need to clear that vapor out to get liquid fuel running, normal
4 Try Autolite 295, keep those AC for shows.

[Jim L.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

3. even with a warm engine if I start it and want to go immediately it falters. If I let it run a minute and "stabilize" this seems to go away and I can start off in 1st gear at low RPM....maybe it needs to get to a stable fuel flow/mixture but I don't know. Any gearhead comment on this?

The usual scenario with a warm engine is that there will be fuel percolation due to the high vapor pressure of the fuel working against the low system fuel pressure at idle.

The remedy, which is slightly counter-intuitive, is to immediately start driving. This raises the system fuel pressure above the fuel vapor pressure and percolation stops instantly.

Are you absolutely sure the engine doesn't smooth out if you just let out the clutch and accelerate?

Jim

[John D.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

Larry, #1 Why not keep the original 091 in the car.
.#2. I agree with you. The distance between the distributor cap window and the plenum is 1" max. You need an allen wrench with a very long handle.
On my 63 the window door is parallel with the firewall. Pointing dead ahead toward the plenum.
#3. Today's fuel burns at a lower temperature so your situation is normal. Even in the early 80's I had that problem driving a fuel car to work every day in the hot weather.
#4. Nothing like a set of AC Commercial plugs. Very heavy duty with thicker and wider contacts. I know the contacts are wider. I would have to look to see if they are thicker. John

[Larry M.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

Alan - you posted a response to my timing scale question saying you didn't have the situation. I attached a pic of my car which I assume to be the same as any SHP/FI car but I don't know for sure. In the pic, if you look carefully, you will see the scale directly beneath the long hex plated stud. The pic was taken from an angle similar to the angle of a timing light. If I took the air cleaner off I could probably see it from a low angle but that's not the right approach. Can you describe how yours is different than this? Maybe my configuration is wrong. A pic would be great. Thanks

[John H.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

Alan - you posted a response to my timing scale question saying you didn't have the situation. I attached a pic of my car which I assume to be the same as any SHP/FI car but I don't know for sure. In the pic, if you look carefully, you will see the scale directly beneath the long hex plated stud. The pic was taken from an angle similar to the angle of a timing light. If I took the air cleaner off I could probably see it from a low angle but that's not the right approach. Can you describe how yours is different than this? Maybe my configuration is wrong. A pic would be great. Thanks

Larry -

Photo below shows the same view of a typical L76/L84 timing tab, with the timing index line on the balancer and the "0" area on the tab both visible.L76Idler2.JPG

[Larry M.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

John - your pic is taken from a slightly lower angle but still the tab appears to be less under the stud. Alan sent me some pics of his and it appears to be hidden like mine is. Is there any explanation for this. Also, while I'm asking, what is the "A" for? Also, being a neophyte, am I correct that the marks are in 2 degree increments?

[John H.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

John - your pic is taken from a slightly lower angle but still the tab appears to be less under the stud. Alan sent me some pics of his and it appears to be hidden like mine is. Is there any explanation for this. Also, while I'm asking, what is the "A" for? Also, being a neophyte, am I correct that the marks are in 2 degree increments?

Larry -

The "A" is for "Advanced" - every mark above the "A" represents two degrees.

[Larry M.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

John - hate to be a pain but if you see this - two things. It looks like in your pic there are two timing marks on the balances...are there and, if so, why? And in your prior post you said "above the "A" but did you mean above the "O"

[John H.]

Re: 64 Fuel Injection Ignition Questions

John - hate to be a pain but if you see this - two things. It looks like in your pic there are two timing marks on the balances...are there and, if so, why? And in your prior post you said "above the "A" but did you mean above the "O"

Larry -

Just one timing index line on the balancer - it's highlighted in white - don't know what the other mark is (not my car). I meant above the "0", not above the "A".