Re: Old pressure drops at red lights

Posted by Redhexagon On 2022/12/29 2:02:39

Tune-ups on cars of this era happened twice a year, or every 6000 miles. Whichever came first. They consisted of:

-Inspect the spark plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. Clean, gap, or replace as required.

-Inspect the ignition points. Clean or replace as required. Reset the dwell with a dwell meter. A feeler gauge does not work for setting used points.

-Check the ignition timing. Adjust as required.

-Verify function of the distributor advance mechanisms.

-Spray the choke linkage clean with a non-residue solvent, such as spray carburetor cleaner. Do not oil. Make sure the linkage and plate move freely.

-Adjust the idle mixture screws to achieve the highest idle speed in gear, wheels blocked. Then turn the screws lean 1/2 turn at a time until the speed drops slightly. Finally, return the screws to the highest speed.

-Adjust the curb idle (in gear, wheels blocked) to 500 rpm.

-Service the carburetor air cleaner and oil breather.

-Inspect the fuel filter. Service as required.

-Apply a few drops of regular engine oil to the generator and distributor bushing oil cups.


The idle mixture and speed settings are the most relevant to your problem. Those settings change quite a bit with the changing weather and gasoline blends in fall and again in spring.