1973 Triumph TR6 Restoration - Part 38 - Engine tune up

It is not "how to" video. I am not big on engine tuning up, but I followed the procedures in the manual and whatever I read and watched so I think I did a good job. I might need to adjust the valves a little and find a way to drop the RPM, but so far so good!

[@productphotodirect]

1, By using the original air cleaner, you can take advantage of using it's two air intake horns by tube ducking cool air from in front of the radiator/area. Plus air comes in under slight pressure in a balanced flow. 2 , Also you need two match the air carb intack at off idle with slight, on throttle, match like you did at idle. 3 , After you timed the ignition, via best vacuum, remember to listen for possible pre-ignition when driving and correct as necessary. 4, you should aways adjust your valve train, first, before doing any of these other adjustment in fact do it twice...... I did enjoy the relaxed way you work, very good!

[@randallwilliams4817]

Elin, Lost my last message so might get this twice. Do this: (1) disconnect throttle to carbs at point in between carbs. (2) disconnect carbs from each other, remove coupling from one or the other side of link shaft. (3) check and confirm operation of all accessories on each carb, then adjust mixture of each carb individually. Finally adjust idle and balance both carbs against each other as well as possible. (4) when good as possible, reconnect coupling linking carbs together. (5) adjust idle again with carbs locked together. (6) reconnect throttle arm, making sure that when at idle, there is a small space giving some lost motion and that the bell crank is not seized, it must be loose but not sloppy. The manual shows a drill bit used to confirm the air space. This prevents the throttle and linkage from binding. At idle, the throttle should not be affecting anything, it should be resting against its own spring pressure, and each carb should be resting on their respective stops. This helps many ways! Tunes the linkage up. Makes gas pedal feel light and drivable. Many if these cars come in the shop with linkages holding the carb adjustment hostage, when in fact the throttle at rest should have this slight lost motion to divorce itself. Just my five cents. Reed

[@RustyBeauties]

Thank you Randal. I know what you mean. Right now the linkage is pretty tight everywhere. I will have to take the carbs out now after the show and look at them closely. I rebuilt them about 2 years ago, but to be honest I've never been good with carbs (just never had time to get myself educated) but now I will have to figure out what does what and I will do a better job. It is idling too high and I suspect the trottle remains open for some reason. There is no vacuum leak, I sprayed vacuum cleaner all over the place while the engine was running and I the RPM didn't shange so...

[@SendingStache]

fantastic as always!

[@RustyBeauties]

Thank you, Karan!

[@sportsmancraft1]

You can balance the carbs with a rubber hose in your ear.

[@sportsmancraft1]

I used to just set the needles flush with the pistons.

[@ralphcap2476]

Elin looks like at idle it was still running a little high your going to have to work on the throttle return spring to make sure that the throttle disc is closed all the way .I think these cars tend to run a little rich for a better performance , also the amount of oil you put in the piston affects the mixture great job as usual.

[@RustyBeauties]

Yeah, it is still idling too high, I will definitely take the carbs out and do them right. I am just in a hurry for the show this weekend so I will let them be for a while.

[@jamcdona]

I was going to ask you what your idle is set at. Mine is 1000rpm or a little more, with new rebuilt carbs. This summer I decided to be a checkbook mechanic and have the local brit car shop check and adjust the mixture, and check timing. The only good thing they did was replace a spring in my distributor. They added a resistor and adjusted carbs using the wrong screw. Never again! I reset everything myself.

[@Mr1300SKIPPY]

Ralph you are correct regarding adequate (and equal) amount of oil in the dampers. I was able to reach near optimum setting of my TR6 only by topping / equalizing damper oil levels in the two (ZS) carbs. First thing to check before more any elaborate changes...

[@UmmYeahOk]

How much oil would you say the dampers need? I’ve been filling to the brim and unable to do the piston lift test. Engine wants to die no matter how rich I try to tune it.

[@bullwhipjohnson8247]

Good job on the carbs Elin. High five!✋

[@RustyBeauties]

Thanks! :)

[@johna1160]

Rustled up a few more ponies tuning those carbs. A well deserved pat on the back. Unless owner insists on headrests, I'd leave the seats low back.

[@RustyBeauties]

Well, I like the look of the hedrests and they hold my seatbelt guides LOL

[@alanm.4298]

I found this really interesting... I have never worked with Strombergs. I've got Weber DCOEs on my TR4 now. It came with Japanese SUs (probably from a 240Z and basically same as British SUs), which were similar to tune. I've also dealt with various American and a variety of motorcycle carbs... But never Strombergs. Maybe some day#

[@jdelayknee]

Great video. Thanks for posting. Why model carbs do you have? The 73’s supposedly cannot adjust needle position

[@brianhardaway9716]

I would sometimes be driving on the highway and it would start raining. I would always wax My windshield because as You’re driving the speed of the car and the wind keep the water from dropping in the car, and the waxed windshield let the rain just fly over the top of the car. ONLY problem is when You stop for a red light. Then You’ll get wet.

[@andyday8140]

The rod between the generator and the choke the main rod seems a little bit squeaky so it seems to me you need to put some grease or oil on it

[@andyday8140]

It's still running fast

[@cheftush]

Lefty leany, Righty richy!

[@RustyBeauties]

Yep, I will not remember it anyways, I will still have to turn the screw in my head next time LOL

[@johnniecool5080]

Hey its a matador!

[@RustyBeauties]

Johnnie Cool Yep, it belongs to Jake!

[@andyday8140]

What is is running a little bit I wonder you got the choke out

[@natesteiner5460]

If you can find an original air filter box instead of the little carbs, it's an improvement

[@RustyBeauties]

I have the one from the 74 TR6, but I don't really like the look of it.

[@Zincaloom]

Nice work. Getting close to GT6 time?

[@RustyBeauties]

Yeah, I will have to make a decision about the GT6. The 74 TR6 might come before it. Not really sure what is next.

[@cutworm59]

It goes like a scalded dog! What about installing a 6cyl in your Spitfire?

[@RustyBeauties]

cutworm59 i am considering doing that for my 68 Spitfire when the time comes :)