Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Osprey on 08 October 2010, 14:27:36
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Just read aaronjb’s post about clickety clickety in another thread and was reminded of my old uncle. When I suggested his tappets were a bit noisy (some decades ago) he said he liked them that way “so he could hear they were still working”.
He was the guy who told me that plugs should always be gapped to the lid of a packet of Benson’s (used to be Player’s folded over, apparently), and that the correct points gap was given by the thickness of the card down the front of the packet. :D
Does anybody remember any more of these old techniques before they get lost to posterity?
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Afraid not Osp, but that's a great story 8-) - and you're quite right, many of these old ways will undoubtedly be forgotten. :(
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That's a great way of setting the gap ;) although I'll take the hassle of a thousand wires over the top of the engine over setting points up, any day! :)
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I remember a good mate of mine - a fair bit older than me - would adjust the carbs purely by ear (common enough skill back then). But, he'd always have a fag on the go whilst doing this... ...fags + petrol = full underpants....
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I have a 1954 Morris Minor and still set the plugs and points with a fag packet. I also set the tappets using a fag packet. Both the carb and timing are set by ear. Although now I've given up smoking I'll have to scrounge a fag packet if I need to service it ;D
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Just read aaronjb’s post about clickety clickety in another thread and was reminded of my old uncle. When I suggested his tappets were a bit noisy (some decades ago) he said he liked them that way “so he could hear they were still working”.
He was the guy who told me that plugs should always be gapped to the lid of a packet of Benson’s (used to be Player’s folded over, apparently), and that the correct points gap was given by the thickness of the card down the front of the packet. :D
Does anybody remember any more of these old techniques before they get lost to posterity?
Now that's when I used to understand engines! ::)
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As said above, I was taught to set points using the foil from a packet of fags, and re-making fuses. Can't say I enjoyed being shown how to syphon petrol out the tank though. :-[
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When I was 15 my 16 year old neighbours party trick was to flick a lighted cigarette into the tank of his 500 BSA. never understood how it didn't "explode".
Ididn't try ity on my BSA 175 Bantam!
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Is the fag packet foil really 0.4mm?
Still, I dont smoke so no worries there.
Had to do points and condenser on a bloody heap of shite Land Rover last week.
Had to stop and remind myself how to do it!
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I was taught that if the engine is modified from standard in any way, the dizzy timing will not be standard, so set it using a vacuum gauge on the advance, and aim for the highest reading on a high tickover.
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
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I have never had a car with points - my oldest car was one of the first with electronic ignition.
I did reset the air gap once
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Yep always used to set up twins and triples that way - still do on the 4A's twin 2" SUs :y
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Oh yes, very familiar, as was running your hand down the HT leads to find any leakage; you knew when you found it in those days before warning signs of "high voltage" under the bonnet!! :D :D :D :D ;)
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Oh yes, very familiar, as was running your hand down the HT leads to find any leakage; you knew when you found it in those days before warning signs of "high voltage" under the bonnet!! :D :D :D :D ;)
That was when you got the bonnet spring catch in the back of your head, wasn't it?? ;D
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Oh yes, very familiar, as was running your hand down the HT leads to find any leakage; you knew when you found it in those days before warning signs of "high voltage" under the bonnet!! :D :D :D :D ;)
That was when you got the bonnet spring catch in the back of your head, wasn't it?? ;D
Yep Ht, you obviously have been there!! :D :D :D ;)
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Oh yes, very familiar, as was running your hand down the HT leads to find any leakage; you knew when you found it in those days before warning signs of "high voltage" under the bonnet!! :D :D :D :D ;)
nooooo that hurt to much!!!lol open bonnet at night down a quiet country lane with no street lights and give it a few revs, was like a light show when they were leaking!!
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
Oh yes, very familiar, as was running your hand down the HT leads to find any leakage; you knew when you found it in those days before warning signs of "high voltage" under the bonnet!! :D :D :D :D ;)
nooooo that hurt to much!!!lol open bonnet at night down a quiet country lane with no street lights and give it a few revs, was like a light show when they were leaking!!
Absolutely right, but often we had other things to do at night so would take the pain during the day instead................ :P :P :P :D :D :D :D :D :D :) :)
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What are these 'other things' of which you speak? :'( :'(
(Hopefully 'getting drunk' which I think I'll do now since I still don't have working bloody central heating, bah!)
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
I have done all the others, but never heard of the fag paper trick, did it really work?.... ::)
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I think I've still got a colourtune in the garage somewhere. ::)
Great for proving the mixture on your SU carb was right at idle. Of course it was all over the show once you were moving with a bit of wear on the needle. ;D
Don't think I've ever owned a car with adjustable valve clearances. Even my Ital was an OHC.
Oh, unless you count Emma's old Fiesta with a Valencia engine. Ruddy thing. Never thought I'd have to adjust valve clearances again until that came along. Never thought I'd have to remove the margarine under the rocker cover to find the adjusters again either. ::)
Kevin
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We were posh so had a feeler gauge for tappets, points, plugs on the Austin A60 Cambridge. I remember topping up the carb with engine oil and putting Redex in the tank to allegedly improve performance. As an 18 year old was always trying to get the engine as quiet as possible and adjusted tappets excessively.
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We were posh so had a feeler gauge for tappets, points, plugs on the Austin A60 Cambridge. I remember topping up the carb with engine oil and putting Redex in the tank to allegedly improve performance. As an 18 year old was always trying to get the engine as quiet as possible and adjusted tappets excessively.
Remove air filter and pour down the carb, instant de-coke and the smoke would be the envey of James Bond... :D :D :D
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
I have done all the others, but never heard of the fag paper trick, did it really work?.... ::)
yep on Zephrs/zodiacs, mgb,s cortina,s anglia,s wolseys, triumph spitfires, A40,s marina,s(and of course the old favourite was putting a small bolt in the end of the pressure relief spring to up the oil pressure ) 2000/2.5,s thrust bearings used to wear badly on those though and you couldnt do it sideways bumhats, ;D
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LOL god memories, ok the average thumb nail is around 25thou thick easy to set your plug gaps!!
points? always did by eye as usually the shaft was always worn oval so it generally required a smaller gap to compensate, however usually set them with feeler gauges to start with,
timing? ignition on, set marks to static, loosen distributor and turn till the points spark, back very slightly and timing was spot on,
valve gaps? always done with engine running!! just tighten till they shut up do all stop engine use rule of eight etc, to check they all still have a little movement so wont burn out valves,
or the latest technolgy which was the spqr tappet adjuster, lol each click was equivalent to 1 thou so stting gaps was easy even though the valve gear was worn!!
fag papers were ideal for dropping the sump removing the big end bearingand mains, placing fag paper behind the bearing,put all back together, retorque and the rattling in the morning was cured for another 10k or so, used to be a hours job on the mk2 and 3 zodys!!! lol
carburettor setting? easy with gunsons colour tune to set the right mixture,
balancing them was also easy!!half inch bore pipe set just below the bellmouth, listen to it go to next and listen with practice you could get them spot on, :y
I have done all the others, but never heard of the fag paper trick, did it really work?.... ::)
yep on Zephrs/zodiacs, mgb,s cortina,s anglia,s wolseys, triumph spitfires, A40,s marina,s(and of course the old favourite was putting a small bolt in the end of the pressure relief spring to up the oil pressure ) 2000/2.5,s thrust bearings used to wear badly on those though and you couldnt do it sideways bumhats, ;D
They blew big ends with worrying ease..... ::)
I blew my Humber Scepter... big ends as soon as it hit the red line, in 4th with overdrive, ended up putting new shells in, could have saved myself some money.. ::) ::) ::)