Tune-up pros needed

1968 225 V6, Accel super coil, Delco( I think) Distributor. Auto trans, Haynes manual:

The book says 650-750 RPM idle- no automatics on there. What do I set it at? In drive, not in drive?
Also, is it possible to install a coil in reverse and have it work but not so well?
One coil lead is supposed to go to the ballast resistor in the wiring diagram, someone put it to the Positive on the starter. Will this affect it in a bad way?
Compression ratio: Lowest reading must be 75% of highest? What 5,6,7,5,6,5 and it'll still run!?!! What?

More questions just haven't invented them yet.
Josh
PS I set the idle at 1200 and put it into gear it was like 550-600. What the $#!@#$! Don't most auto's go 900-1000 then D 550-650???? Maybe the trans is too much for this little V6 (Th400)?

 

Josh: They used TH400's in Comandos with the V6 and they work fine. 600 rpm in drive is OK (my '92 Yukon idles at 550 in drive). Can't really remember what the idle is in neutral, but it's around 1000 so you're in the ball park.

On the coil, if your Accel coil is supposed to use a ballast resistor then the wire must go to the resistor. Some coils have one built in so you can wire it up directly to any good 12v+. The + of the coil goes to 12v, either a resistor or a direct 12v lead.

 

The way this coil is wired up is like this:
The wire coming out of the coil terminal marked (-) goes to the starter. The wire coming out of the coil terminal marked (+) goes into the distributor.
It is a GM TH400 were the commando's the same?
Josh

 

If I remember correctly, the + side of the coil should go to the 12v + power. The - of the coil goes to the dist. I've never wired up one differently and don't know what affect it would have on the coil--I would think no good.

The TH400's are the same, except for stall speed and such as dictated by the engine. Yes, the TH400's for the V6's had different torque converters and valveing set differently than the one I had in my 350 HP 396 Chevy. Hopefully, yours is out of a Commando.

 

So, if the timing is supposed to be set in that 650-750 idle range, should I turn it down to that in park, set the timing and then turn it back up?
Also what do you mean different type of torque converter than other models? Different stall, size etc? Where can I find out more about these converters?

Josh

 

Set your timing in nertral or park at the idle speed it would be at for an idle of 600 in drive (1000 in park is really not too high). You should be OK when you drop it into drive then.

Yes, the diff trans have diff stall speeds depending on the HP and torque of the engine attached to. The Commando's had their's set for the V6 225. Can't help you much on where to find info on them. Prolly have to find the serial # on it to determine the orig. instalation. You might take it to a Trans shop and ask their advice.

 

Should I switch the coil wires ( Reverse the + and -)?

 

I think it would be a wise idea. I have no idea if any damage was done to the coil by wireing it backwards--never tried it.

 

I just went through this whole thing with the torque converter. It was "jumping" when you put it into drive or reverse. I took out the trans, disassembled,inspected it and found nothing wrong. I reassembled w/ new gaskets etc. and a remanufactured torque conv. with a supposed stock stall speed of 1350 Rpm. It is all back together. It doesn't seem to jump nearly as much but then I haven't driven it, just shifted through the gears. Adjusting the idle down helped some also, but what I said before applies(idle speed). I'm at a loss for info on correct trq. conv etc. It seems too old and too few- no one really knows. If you hear of anyone who would have a clue in this dept. let me know. Any other tune up sugg.- I haven't done the points, timing yet. Is the Delco Distributor the one with the little window? Timing is different between the 2 dists.
Josh

 

Yes, the Delco Dist. has the little window in it. You set the point gap by a dwell meter--much more accurate and easier than by feeler guages. On instal, you just put at least 10 thou gap in the points to get it started, then hook up the dwell meter and set it precisely (don't ask, I don't know the dwell on a V6). Use the FSM for timing specs--it may have the dwell angle in there also.

A little bit of jumping is normal with any auto, so yours sounds OK.

 

I'm goin to bed.




Tired on the East Coast