I just got this car, and I'm trying to troubleshoot a hesitation just off idle. I noticed that the initial vacuum advance is set at 20*...a little high? Chassis manual says to set at 12*. I also noticed that the only port on the carb is a ported vac source. So I have no vacuum at idle, and the vac advance does not kick in until 1000 rpm or so. I am wondering if the fact that the timing is kicked up so high is because they were trying to get ird of the hesitation? I also noticed the heat riser on the manifold is frozen solid. I would imagine that might have something to do with it? I don't know if it's frozen shut or open though. It seems to run well once it gets warmed up though. The choke appears to be working properly.
Adam, Most of those nailheads were timed at 2 1/2* with the vacuum advance plugged. Then the vacuum advance was run off manifold vacuum so that it would idle at about 20* You don't have to run off the carb. Tee into the modulator line, or anywhere there is full vacuum. It probably has the wrong carb on it.
I thought I remembered you posting that a few days ago, but did not remember where it was. I dug out the chassis manual and re-read it to make sure this is correct. It says that initial timing is to be 12*, and that it is to use ported vacuum advance (in another section)... It's all a moot point now, because the distributor is seized in position. Here's a picture of the manual page:
And of the carb number - I have no idea if this is correct or not. EDIT: This is the correct carb, I found the specs in the manual.
12* initial it is. Try looking at the accelerator pump. Try putting some light advance springs in it.
