My recently acquired phoenix, with a 1600 crossflow, is not running perfectly and I'm pretty sure could benefit from a bit of fiddling. As I have
very little idea what I'm doing, is this relatively easy to do with a bit of guidance, or would I be better taking it to someone who knows what
they're doing with it?!
If I should take it to someone who knows what they're doing, does anyone know of anyone within sensible distance of Bath? How much is it likely
to cost me? (the answer I want there is 'not very much'!)
Thanks
Sam
Take it to a rolling road and have it set up properly. They usually transform the car into something which you thought was quite good to something
fantastic.
Not sure on price though, last time i had my car set up cost me £50.00 (about 8 years ago) Bogg brothers at Malton come highly recommended. Nowehere
near Bath though
Have to agree with rolling road . Any old timer in the motor trade should know how to set up your engine to factory settings but you can't be a good rolling road session . One thing with the crossflow worth doing is fitting whats known as a Valencia distributor from a fiesta , this converts car to electronic ignition which is more reliable and stays in tune longer than the old points type distributor . Dead easy to fit as well
Im in the same situation. To change the distributor, is it just a simple swap over? Whats involved in going to electronic ignition?
Also, does the guy at the rolling road do the set up for you? Is it so much better than adjusting the tuning yourself?
With Fords on old fashioned ignition the first suspect is always the points gap.
If it is a Fomoc/Autolite distributer the points gap is 0.023" to 0.027" with new points always set this at the wide end and put a tiny
spot of grease on the distrubtor cam as the points gap on these distributors always close up after a few miles.
With Bosch or Lucas distributors the gap is 0.014" to 0.016" on these distributors the points don't close up to anything like the
same degree.
If that dosent work before you do anything start by tell us what you know of the spec.
quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
One thing with the crossflow worth doing is fitting whats known as a Valencia distributor from a fiesta , this converts car to electronic ignition which is more reliable and stays in tune longer than the old points type distributor . Dead easy to fit as well
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
With Fords on old fashioned ignition the first suspect is always the points gap.
To convert to electronic ignition you need a distributor, coil and the small wiring harness between coil and distributor from a 1300 Fiesta
(1988/89 I think should be OK) Harness has 3 wires from memory I think 1 green =to coil neg terminal 1 black= coil pos terminal and 1 brown which goes
to earth . To fit turn the engine over by hand until timing marks on crankshaft pulley line up, check which lead rotor is pointing to . You want rotor
pointing to no 1 HT lead in cap if not turn engine over 1 full turn . Remove distributor and fit replacement making sure that rotor point towards no 1
ht lead (identified by engraved line on cap mounting surface of distributor , wire up as descibed making sure you have battery voltage at coil pos
terminal . It may? already have a ballast resistor fitted in which case remove it . Get timing set to approx 8 degrees BTDC which should get you
running. With twin choke webers you will need a side entry cap .
I had the Valencia dizzy setup on my car and it ran ok , but it made a great difference when i fitted Megajolt mappable ignition to replace it.This
replaces the distributor with a coilpack and Ford Edis module and cranksensor and wheel as fitted to later fiestas and escorts. The megajolt
controller allows you to set the ignition timing from a laptop in the car as you drive for best performance.
I also have a valencia distributor for sale with a coil if anyone needs one for £25 .
Paul
quote:
Originally posted by samwilliams
I know the basis: get the little metal sticky thing, and prise open/knock closed the points until it's about right
quote:
Originally posted by JoelP
quote:
Originally posted by samwilliams
I know the basis: get the little metal sticky thing, and prise open/knock closed the points until it's about right
sounds like you are refering to the spark plug gap there, forgive me if im wrongi think they're on about the gaps in the distributor.
If I wasn't a complete numpty when it come to electronics I would already have the megajolt /squirt system . Looks like I may well have to buy one.
I have a valencia distributor for sale with a brand new distributor cap.
Swap out your old points system on a crossflow with this and get better performance in minutes.. Looking for £30 plus postage.