1940 v8 timing
 

Can the timing on the engine be tweaked, with the distributor on the car. It runs pretty good but seems to lack power. Can only get 30 mph in second gear and doesn’t like third gear at all.

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

If you have the stock distributor the timing is set by moving the slide in the side. It would be best to send it to someone who has a distributor tester so it can be set correctly.

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

That has already been done. He is a well know guys who has the machine to set them up.

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

If your distributor has been properly set up on a distributor tester machine, I'd say you have another issue.

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

A vacuum leak would give you those symptoms.

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

You're only running on 4 cylinders. One barrel of your two barrel carburetor is clogged...

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

This actually happened to me once. I recently saw an ad for a V8 Ford and the ad said it had a single barrel carburetor. :rolleyes:

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

Have you done a compression test? Has the carb been rebuilt? Spark at all 8 cyls?

Re: 1940 v8 timing
 

A compression check would be in order. I just replaced an engine, 21 stud, that had 60 psi per cylinder. It ran well but lacked a lot of power through the RPM range/gears.