Hi all, My first post here, after lots of reading.
We are from The Netherlands and have got 3 identical Ford Transit Mk1- Long Wheelbase - German Firetrucks from 1977. All three from the same district, Low KM's and in very good shape. Fantastic machines. Normal people buy 1, we bought all three.. I have converted one of them into a campervan, with a poptop roof. Sleeps 4!
I'm now in need of some basic info on setting the timing, etc. I need to get the engine in the "campervan" running right by tomorrow afternoon, so hope someone over here can help me out. It started stalling at traffic lights and idled very roughly or not idling at all.
It has the Ford V4 cologne engine probably the 1.7 version.
Worked on it today. First thing I did was rebuilding the carb: it was very clean to begin with. Used the air compressor, brake cleaner and installed new gaskets. Started engine, ran the same as before. Can cross it of my list, but didn't help to improve idling.
Next thing was looking at the breaker points/rotor cap. Both has seen better days. I bought a powerspark electronic ignition kit, but it didn't fit my distributor, so had to clean up the points with some sandpaper and refit those unfortunately. (I think it's a Bosch distributor, rotor cap is motorcraft.)
I have no data on this engine, so guessed and used the 0.40 feeler gauge on the points.
Still doesn't run any better.
It was getting too late to start the engine, don't want to annoy the neighbours.
Have my timing light ready, have already loosened the "distributor-baseplate bolt", have fresh sparkplugs ready. Will get up very early to continue working on it...
So now, after a long story, can anyone help my with the following questions:
1. Carb (Fomoco): Is it correct to turn the little adjustment screw all the way in and the 1.5 turns out. Then adjust idle screw when engine is hot and choke is fully off?
2. Contact breaker gap: What feeler gauge should I use?
3. Number 1 cilinder: this is the one front left, correct? So the one closest to the alternator?
4. Ignition timing: (I have pulled vacuum advance hose off and blocked the hose in order to not have a vacuum leak) Who has the correct info on ignition timing?
5. Spark plug gap: Do new plugs normally need adjustment? If so to what gap?
6. Anything else I need to think of when doing this all?
Hope anyone out there can help. Thanks a lot in advance!