My 1966 BJ8 does not have the power to handle steep hills. It is so bad I had to bring the car up my driveway on reverse! As you may know reverse has a higher ratio than even first gear.
Something is just not right. This is what I've done so far:
1. Compression test: all cylinders between 165 and 170 psi
2. New SU electric fuel pump
3. Carbs were recently rebuilt (by previous owner). I have not checked float adjustment but I have synch'ed the carbs and used a color tune to set mixture. Seems to idle fine and does not have too much problem starting cold. Starts right up when hot.
4. Timing is set at about 8 degrees at idle (800 rpm)
5. Dwell is at about 37 degrees
6. Ignition advance curve seems to be correct
I have not checked valve clearances and probably need to make sure there are no vacuum leaks (for example a faulty brake booster).
I get the feeling the car is in second gear when I try to go up a steep hill on first gear. I am not familiar with the overdrive unit .. can this be causing problems? I've read it only affects the top two gears ... but it does not hurt to ask. My instint tells me I have an ignition or engine timing problem ..... but I am not really experienced on Healeys.
Something is just not right. This is what I've done so far:
1. Compression test: all cylinders between 165 and 170 psi
2. New SU electric fuel pump
3. Carbs were recently rebuilt (by previous owner). I have not checked float adjustment but I have synch'ed the carbs and used a color tune to set mixture. Seems to idle fine and does not have too much problem starting cold. Starts right up when hot.
4. Timing is set at about 8 degrees at idle (800 rpm)
5. Dwell is at about 37 degrees
6. Ignition advance curve seems to be correct
I have not checked valve clearances and probably need to make sure there are no vacuum leaks (for example a faulty brake booster).
I get the feeling the car is in second gear when I try to go up a steep hill on first gear. I am not familiar with the overdrive unit .. can this be causing problems? I've read it only affects the top two gears ... but it does not hurt to ask. My instint tells me I have an ignition or engine timing problem ..... but I am not really experienced on Healeys.