dizzy and head gasket

[rdhunt1]

A little wordy so grab a coffee, or a cocktail depending on what time it is where you are.

 

1996 1700 supersprint

 

Distributor- lucas/aldon with pertronix ignitor.

My inspection shows the shaft and bushings to be very good. I have little to no lateral movement in the shaft. Could possibly use another shim to reduce the vertical movement of the shaft but I don't think it is detrimental. I did notice that the weights droop on the pins. They don't seem to interfere with anything but it makes me believe that the weights and/or pins are worn. I didn't remove them since i don't yet have a spare plastic clip that holds the top shaft to the bottom. Scrubbed all parts clean, lubed and reassembled. Also put a new Weatherpack connector on ignitor leads since the wiring by the original AMP was looking pretty rough.

 

That said the limit arm is marked 6º. With a specified static of 14º I should get 26 total. I did try and map the curve with my new whiz-bang timing light with the tach and timing readout on it. I had 16º static and what looked like 28º all in by 3500 rpm... confirming that the 6 is doing what is is supposed to. To those in the know: would you replace the arm with a 9 or 10 to get a full advance number like 32-34 while maintaining the easy start and originally specified 14 static (and the same curve)? Or, grab my jewelers files and make a 9 or 10 through a little trial and error...OR, do most just ship off to a rebuilder and get new (or perhaps improved) springs in the process? OR, just move the static to 20 and learn how to start it like that...

 

Head gasket-

After playing with the dizzy last night I decided to do a compression test just to see. Hmmm. 205,205,180,205.

Did a quick valve clearance check (all ok) then a quick squirt of wd40. WD40 brought the 180 up to about 195 so maybe a stuck ring on that cyl only...ok, but odd. Maybe been like that for a while? Who knows, my car is only a month old to me and has only done 15k in 24 years. Sure don't think it consumes oil but only have a little over 1k miles on it. What limited I can see with a bend-a-light through the plug hole looks good. BUT... if i wanted to explore a little more and since i haven't yet removed the head, what is the stock head gasket thickness?, and do any of you have preferred suppliers? Looks like Burtons has a MLS and graphite both in 1mm. I would likely go graphite since I have not done the surfacing myself and don't know how good it is. Do the formula ford pieces fit or are they all smaller bore for the 1600?

 

And if i go in this far, and it has stock pistons (which I assume it does) who are your favorite suppliers for forged pieces? Accralite still the go to?

 

Any and all insight welcome

 

Thanks,

Ryan

Edited January 22, 2021 by rdhunt1