The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Spark lever position at idle and temperature sensitivity

nkaminar · 03-15-2024, 04:56 PM

I normally do not move my ignition lever when idling. I set my idle speed with the ignition advanced to the normal operating position so the idle is slow then. I have to set up my idle with the hand throttle when the engine is first started and not warmed up yet. I have a 6.5:1 head.

I will retard my ignition slightly ( about 3 notches) when trying to drive slowly or up my steep driveway. I will retard it all the way and set up the hand throttle a bit if I want to do the chug-chug thing (for my own entertainment). I time my distributor 3 notches down so the fully retarded position is really firing way after top dead center.

03-15-2024, 04:56 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,031	Re: Spark lever position at idle and temperature sensitivity I normally do not move my ignition lever when idling. I set my idle speed with the ignition advanced to the normal operating position so the idle is slow then. I have to set up my idle with the hand throttle when the engine is first started and not warmed up yet. I have a 6.5:1 head. I will retard my ignition slightly ( about 3 notches) when trying to drive slowly or up my steep driveway. I will retard it all the way and set up the hand throttle a bit if I want to do the chug-chug thing (for my own entertainment). I time my distributor 3 notches down so the fully retarded position is really firing way after top dead center. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.