[chrisbalich]

Good morning, Team!

I haven't really done much this week. Took a little break and now I'm itching to get back out there. I spent ~30-40 minutes in the garage last night and my hoodie smells like rich exhaust still. I have a few items that need sorted before I can start tuning in earnest.

I need to stabilize the exhaust. Right now the exhaust is just hanging off the headers. When the car is cold, it shakes around a lot more than I like. I'll be heading to Home Depot tonight to pick up some solid rod to weld up some supports. (Metal Supermarket is ~40 miles away. HD is ~3.)

I need a windscreen. I installed the dash last night with actual fasteners. It still will need to be addressed at some point. But I can deal with 2-3 cracks in the interim. I have the new, updated seal from URO. And I plan to do my best to get the whole lot in this weekend with minimized drama. I'll let you all know how it goes.

I need gas. I didn't know the car had a low fuel light...until it lit up. Apparently, running real rich for however long I've been running it will burn through ~5 gallons of fuel pretty quick. I haven't decided if I'm taking the car to the gas station, or if I'm going to fetch 5 more gallons in a can. Weather will be a big factor here on account of the no windscreens.

I need to confirm my ignition timing. That's what I really went out to do last night and all I've really learned is that IDKWTF I'm doing. I was able to pick up an ignition signal off the leads to the #1 ignition coil and no matter where I set the 1st tooth angle setting, I could not get the timing light to match what the computer was telling me. I have a bunch of reading in front of me today and tomorrow.
I can tell you with 100% certainty that when I changed the timing from 60* BTDC, the car was not in love with me or its new setting. Up to about 5* either way, it would still run and not hate me. But 60* is the sweet spot. (Makes sense as 6 teeth pass the sensor after the missing tooth and right as I get to TDC. 36-1 wheel)

It idles pig rich. 11.5-12. Gets pretty gassy pretty quick. But I've also got the idle a trifle lower than most suggest at 750rpm. Once I get the timing established, I'll start messing with the fuel.

The occasional pops caused by being lean on tip-in draw my ire, but I don't think it's appropriate to start sorting those out until I get the timing sorted and start dialing in the fuel table.

I'm 100% open to suggestions on the windscreen and confirming ignition timing even though I'll be reading up on both today and tomorrow.

And I got a little surprise in the mail this week. I'll be sure to make a dedicated post about that soon.