Questions about tuning and timing dual carb 1.8 Options

[Slick914]

I'm going to attempt a tune-up on my car and have many questions. I know most of these are basic questions, so please bear with me. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

My engine... 1974 1.8 Has dual Weber carbs. Not positive which ones. Distributor appears to be original? I'm assuming that the cam is original, really have no idea. I attached a couple pics that may help identify what I have. Sorry, it's raining outside and the car is covered, can't get better pics at the moment.

Many questions, so I'll just ask them as they pop into my head, no specific order...

1. .016 gap correct for points?
2. At what rpm should I set timing? 3000, 3200, 3500?
3. What's a safe timing setting? 27, 28, 30, more?
4. Is it true if my point gap is set right, the dwell should be fine?
5. How do I sync my carbs? I have a synchrometer from previous owner.
6. Is my distributor supposed to have a vacuum line?


Hmmm, I know there were some other ?'s but can't think of them right now. The car runs ok now, but I know I can get her to run a little smoother. When cold, it backfires through the carbs especially upon acceleration. Even when at running temp, it can be hesitant during acceleration at times. Once the rpms get up there some the hesitation goes away. These symptoms could be a common thing with the set-up I have for all I know, but I still need to give her a tune-up regardless.

[Slick914]

Thanks for the help Cap'n and Clayton.

I just pulled the dizzy and it looks like it's an 009 like mentioned. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Numbers...

908 (with circle around it)
JF4
0 231 178 009
9 6 6

If this dizzy is known to be a bitch, why the heck do people swap out the stock one for it? Would the stock one not be good for carbs? Is this one cheaper than others?


Anyways, yesterday I went ahead and attempted to tune the engine up. I timed it at 3200rpm and 30 degrees BTDC. Then I thought I synced up the carbs to where all barrels were drawing the same amount of air at idle. Took the car for a test run and it lacked power and hesitated at low rpm's. I then just proceeded to advance the timing "by ear" a little more(at idle) and again adjusted the carbs. Car runs much better now, but I'm afraid to see how far the timing is advanced. I would guess around 35 BTDC. Might be too high, don't know.

Also, I had the idle set at about 950 rpm's but after a hard 20 min drive, it's back down to around 450-500 rpm's? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)