I'm new to the forum and could use some help with my recently purchased 1950 Olds 88. It ran a little rough when I first got it so I rebuilt the carburetor, new points, plugs, rotor, cap and adjusted the timing. When I step on the gas it still coughs and wants to die. Any ideas are welcome.
303 V8? Does it idle ok? What did you set the timing at? Did it always stumble or only now after the maintenance?
303 V8? Does it idle ok? What did you set the timing at? Did it always stumble or only now after the maintenance? Yep 303 Rocket. It does idle ok. Setting the timing I went right by the book. I put the dist. clamp arm at "O" position, then rotated the distributor to get the crank pulley pointer in the middle of the machined slot. It ran worse after that. So, I put the distributor back to where it was when I started. I rotated the distributor clockwise almost as far as it would go and it ran much better. BUT, it still coughs when I step on the gas. It did not always stumble, only since I put the new points, rotor and cap.( I did not change the condenser). The spring on the points seemed to have the same force as the ones I took out.
What did you set the dwell on the points at? If memory serves me well the early Olds liked to be at 8 degrees before TDC. If the engine is a high mileage unit chances are that the timing chain is stretched which is going to mess setting the timing up. You shouldn't have to turn the distributor much to get it back into the proper timing so long as all the other elements are working with you.
Mark, didn't see that this thread is in the intro section and as such it will not get much attention. Start a new post over on the general forum and the rest of the talented Olds guys will be responding with their thoughts as well.
The Jalopy Journal
