Smoke in the Wires April 2016

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engines which are operating at full throttle most of the time and don't care much about fuel mileage. While most Lucas vacuum units are made to advance the timing, there are also those that retard the timing and some that do both. Check the direction the vacuum will pull the movable base plate relative to the direction of distributor rotation. Vacuum pull opposite to distributor rotation is advance and visa-versa. Almost every Lucas unit is stamped with a series of three numbers, like 5-12-7. This means that the control starts to pull at 5 inches of mercury, is full in at 12, and gives a maximum of 7 degrees of advance. If it is followed by an “R”, it will retard instead of advance. Older units often have a threaded fitting for a copper vacuum tube, latter ones have a push on fitting for a rubber vacuum tube. It is also important to consider where the vacuum control tube is connected. There are two primary locations, with very different characteristics. One is an intake manifold connection. This provides the highest vacuum when the throttle plates are closed, such as at idle, and the lowest at full throttle, such as accelerating. The second location is off a carburetor venturi. This location provides just the opposite effect, low or none at idle and maximum at full throttle. The amount of vacuum and transition curve varies from zero to maximum based the location of the connection port and carb/manifold details. It's easy to test the vacuum unit, no need to remove. Just remove the cap from the distributor, remove the vacuum line and attach a hand vacuum pump in its place. Work the pump and watch the movable plate move. It should move and stay until you release the vacuum. If it moves but immediately falls off, a vacuum leak is indicated. If it doesn't move, (you probably have a D25-x type distributor) detach the spring connector from its pin on the movable plate. Test again, if the spring doesn't move, the vacuum unit is bad, if it does move, the movable base plate is stuck. In which case you need to remove the two little Philip mounting screws, lift out the base plate assembly and see what's stuck. The movable plate is supposed to slide easily on two little nylon buttons, held by a spring blade countered by capped pin in a slot. You may find the problem is nothing more than hardened grease and dirt. You may also find a broken spring, in which case you should get a new plate assembly. More than likely you will find that the cap of the pin has a notch worn into it by the side of the slot. This allows the movable plate to tip and wobble, causing jerky movement and uneven wear of the points against the cam. If so, grip the cap of the pin with vice-grips and gently turn it about a quarter turn, thus putting a new unworn surface against the slot. This will reduce the tilt and improve the movement of the vacuum control. Lucas completely redesigned this whole assembly on the next generation of distributors, the D45-x type, and it is very unlikely you will have a problem with one of these. If you get your vacuum control working correctly, you might be surprised at the improved gas mileage and drivability. Smoke in the Wires April 2016 Page 16
Brits on the Bay Volunteer List April 15-16, 2016 Thanks to everyone who has already confirmed their volunteer slot for the 2016 Brits on the Bay. We are way ahead of the game this year on volunteers. I already have XXX out of XXX spots confirmed. As you look through this list, I have highlighted the few people I still need to hear from. Please send me an e-mail at redshirt98@att.com to confirm. We really appreciate your enthusiastic participation and look forward to another great year. Chair: Tom Schmitz Assistant Chair: Bob Henson, Tom Matsoukas, Marc Cherry Site Preparation: Friday-Saturday Bill Weeks, chair, Keith Sanders, Bob Henson, Paul Salm, Tom Matsoukas, Marc Cherry Parking: Marc Cherry, chair, Bill Weeks, Richard Lewis, Rich Willows, Al Deweese, Gus Fell, Tim Maynard, Dave Powers, Tabor Tompkins, Jack Rowles, Jason Court, One Volunteer Needed Reception/Registration Area: Tom Schmitz, chair, Jeanne Schmitz, Midge Derby, Curt Derby, Risa Manske, Tom Matsoukas, Rich Willows, Al Deweese, , Karlyn Cherry, One Volunteer Needed Balloting: Tom Schmitz, Chair, Gail Sanders, Donna Weeks, Rise Manske, Liz Maynard, Midge Derby, Karlyn Cherry Awards/Trophies: Tom Schmitz, chair, Marc Cherry, Bob Henson Specialty Awards: Rolling Sculpture Award--Bill Silhan Special Category Trophies--Marc Cherry Moulton Family Award--Moulton Family Best in Show-judges--Mike Darby with Larry Norton and Bill Gillson of Peachtree MG Registry T Shirts Artwork: Curt Derby, Rich Willows Smoke in the Wires April 2016 Page 17
Page 2 and 3: Front Cover: Denis Bigioni’s Talb
Page 4 and 5: T-shirt sales, door prizes and the
Page 6 and 7: April The British Line submission f
Page 8 and 9: At the opposite end of the spectrum
Page 10 and 11: they brought me on as working all a
Page 12 and 13: Despite few buyers seeking driving
Page 14 and 15: Tenth Annual Pensacola-Atmore Road
Page 18 and 19: Production: Tom Schmitz, Curt Derby
Page 20 and 21: Featured Car 1957 Devin-Triumph “
Page 22 and 23: Bill Devin also offered the Devin-F
Page 24 and 25: emarkably similar. Before acting on
Page 26 and 27: PANHANDLE BRITISH CAR ASSN. Pensaco
Page 28: Smoke in the Wires April 2016 Page

Smoke in the Wires April 2016

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