Inferno Red 74 Duster!

Well, I am finally going to tune this thing right. I’m starting from scratch. I pulled the plugs, pulled the wires and distributor cap, pulled the distributor and it’s going to run right or kill me in the process! I have researched the **** out of this procedure, but you can’t beat experience and that is something I don’t have.

I confirmed my timing mark with a piston stop that I made. I was actually hoping it was off because last time I was messing with it, it idled the best and had most vacuum (12”) with about 24* initial timing according to my cheap timing light. I will look around and see if I can borrow a timing light to compare to mine.

I checked compression. I checked it cold which may not be the best indication, but what I found was they are all very close to each other. 105, 97, 100, 100, 97, 95, 97 and 100. Those pressures seem low, but they are factory dished pistons in a 76 block with factory 1.88 J heads so I knew they wouldn’t be high. I wish I had some idea what cam is in it.

Here is my plan, I’m going to start with new plugs and wires. The plugs look like I am running lean. I’ll set timing at 20* initial (I know, it seems high) with the FBO plate set to add 14 more for 34 total power timing. My distributor has a V can with a 7R on the arm so I am assuming it will give me another 14* at cruise for a total of 48* at cruise. V can is hoked to ported vacuum.

I set my t-port at just barely over square so I will try and set my Idle at 750-850 or wherever it’s happy. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do with this car, it always wants to idle at about 550 or 600 in gear when it is set to idle in neutral at 950 or more. I have 5.5 PSI fuel pressure after my regulator.

Wish me luck! I really want to get back to the track and improve my time, but I am loving the cruising around too.

Cley