Running Hot on the Highway Options

[NJ914Guy]

My car is a 1973 914 2.0 running dual Weber 40 carbs, an Aircooled.net SVDA vac advance distributor (vac port connected to dual carbs) and a Pertronix electronic ignition module.

Here in NJ, on a 80-90 degree day, the car runs great on the back roads ranging from 30-45 MPH. Using the dip stick temp gauge, she runs around 180-195 for oil temp. If I take her up ont the highway and run the car at 65-80 MPH for 10-20 minutes, the temp will run up to 220-240, based on the outside air temps, which seems too hot.

I assume that since I am fine on the back roads, my flaps and fan are clear and working fine? I do have 100% of the factory tins in place, and from 180-240 degrees, the car runs strong at all temps.

I am thinking that I have a problem and would like to rule out some things. Here's my list of things to try. Please feel free to comment or make additional suggestions.

1. Change oil. I am running 10W-30 now. Have some fresh Brad Penn 20W-50 on hand. Could an oil change help?
2. Drop the oil screen and check for any sludge or blockage which may be impacting oil flow.
3. Check timing on the SVDA dizzy. I am wondering if it's advancing a little too much on the highway? Per John's instruction, when we installed the dizzy we set timing to: 38-45 Total Advance (hose connected) @ 3500 RPM.
4. Pull spark plugs and check for lean conditions.
5. Check carbs and idle jets. Not sure what's in there, but I hear that I want idle jets of 50.

[NJ914Guy]

Guys, here's John's timing settings, copyed and pasted right from the instructions email that comes with the SVDA distributor. Are you still saying these are incorrect?

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Now it's time to set the timing. Reconnect the negative side of the battery, and turn the key on, but don't crank the engine. With a test light grounded on the engine case, put the other end on the negative terminal on the coil. Very, very slowly, rotate the distributor counter-clockwise, until the test light lights up. The light will stay lit up for a few degrees of the rotation, so it is important to stop turning the distributor body as soon as the light turns on, when rotating counter-clockwise. After this, simply tighten down the distributor clamp, and your engine should start right up. If you have a timing light, get the car started up, aim for 7.5 BTDC at idle FOR NOW, the hose connected or not should not matter (if it does that's the wrong vacuum port). After you set that, reconnect the vacuum line. Depending on where your timing was at idle with your old distributor, you may need to re-set your carb. To verify the correct operation of the SVDA, the timing should be

A) 28-30 Total Advance (hose disconnected)@ 3500 RPM.
B) 38-45 Total Advance (hose connected)@ 3500 RPM.

Let it idle and re-check the timing, you can now use this timing setting to set the timing at idle, though we do recommend you check the full advance settings to make sure the SVDA is working properly at both idle and full advance.
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Rather than take the car back to the shop, could someone walk me through how to properly adjust my own timing? Should I pick-up a special type of timing gun?

Thanks

[ChrisFoley]

Should I pick-up a special type of timing gun?

Thanks

A fancy timing light allows you to preset the advance you want and time to the TDC mark at 3500rpm. With a plain jane timing light you set to a 28 deg. mark painted onto the fan.