H running rough

Peter Hoyt · Jul 9, 2014

I did a valve job plus rings & rod bearings. compression 105 in all 4. oil pressure 75. water is getting into oil and cyl #1 so I suspect either cracked block or seeping around head bolt; does that make sense? no visible leaks of water or air around head gasket.

It runs rough at high idle under no load. all new ignition parts, now it runs better under load at low rpm when cold but gets worse when warms up. no power at high rpm despite choking and playing with carb adjustments. seems to be getting plenty of fuel. can make black smoke with choke

I plan to get a carb rebuild kit and try that but running worse when hot scares me along with water in oil.

Also I was wondering if I should pull the distributor and examine shaft. If worn could timing jump around?

If anyone has ideas or suggestion please reply or contact me at [email protected].

many thanks to all....

Bob M · Jul 9, 2014

A cracked head, block or bad gasket can let coolant into the oil and cylinder(s) without showing externally.

A worn distributor shaft can indeed make timing jump around and cause the engine to run poorly. So first thing I'd do is check it with a timing light.

Timing should be TDC at low idle, advancing gradually to 35 - 40 deg BTC at high idle. If timing does not advance as RPMs come up the distributor centrifugal advance is stuck and needs attention. Or if the timing mark "dances" (randomly jumps around) the distributor bushings/shaft are worn - time for a rebuild.

David G · Jul 9, 2014

Could be many things.

Timing to advanced
Points gapped wrong
Valves to tight
Carb issue.

I would check point and valve gap first.

H running rough

Peter Hoyt

New User

Bob M

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

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