F head fouling plugs quickly

Alright, just picked up a dwell/tach/volt meter, one range hotter on plugs, and got the fitting for my compression testor. Never used a dwell meter before, so this should be fun. The game plan will be set idle, install new points, set dwell (will be a learning process), and see where we are at. I still dont know how I am going to check timing with no marks, but that is another story. I maybe use the set #1 cyl at tdc and ensure rotor is pointing to #1 post on the cao and see where that gets me. Wish me luck on the way home now to play

 

well got home last night and played around a little. First time using a dwell meter so I have some questions. As I understand it for a 4 cyl you need to just double the 8 cyl readings. That being said and hooking the neg lead to the frame, and pos lead to the post on the dist I got the idle down to 800 or so, but she was not running a smooth as she was at a higher rpm. When I switched the meter to dwell I was getting around 39 with it hooked up the same way. So, I still think the timing is off, but not being able to read a mark bothers me a littlem but I will play with the dizzy today. Also I still have a sooty plugs in there. I got a higher heat range plug for it. More to follow tonight

 

You are the man!!!!! Ok so dwell needs to be adjusted a little higher, rpms still need to come down, and I have anew set of J8's as well so I will try them first. Tomorrow's plan will be : plugs, vac guage check and adjust, idle down, new points and recheck dwell. Also comp check. Will update with more info tomorrow night
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Will do, again thanks with this
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Sounds like you almost have it whipped, Eager to hear how it goes.

 

you and me both... gonna spend all weekend in the garage so hopefully we get it right. Once I get the motor happy, the tear down will begin on the body!!

 

Ok. Stupid question, but where do I hook up my vac guage. Fsm claims I need a special adapter tool??
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I hook mine under the base of the carb (pax side) where the PCV line should be hooked up to. Just need a brass T fitting.

 

gonna dig around for a fitting that will work today, however I did complete the compression test and the results dont look good

No Oil added:

#1 - 118
#2 - 112
#3 - 105
#4 - 98

OIL Added:

#1 - 118
#2 - 115
#3 - 110
#4 - 100 if that

 

best fix for the carb on the f head is replace the stock carter carb with a solex much more reliable and better throttle response than the carter. Also check the gap on your plugs they should be at 30 on a plug gap gage if more or less they will cause fouling and rough idle as well.

 

Plugs are dead on and due to the fact that I am trying to keep this as orig as possible the carb is staying.
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i use autolite 295 plugs they seem to last longer and spark a little hotter than the j8s i like to keep my 55 original as well but the carters just dont last they will get air leakage were the throttle linkage goes thru the throttle body of the carb its self and no matter what you do it wont run right, they can be fixed but if you wont to keep the carter id look for an nos and put gaskets and diaphram in and run it till wore out good luck hope you get it running right.

 

I changed my float level and went one heat range hotter on plugs that helped 100% .Then with the Alternator up-grade totally different machine smooth and responsive.

 

Whats the plug part number that would be hotter than stock? I have a 68 thats fouln plugs. Have tried the J8s and auto 295....