Tools - timing, compression, point gap, valve clearance

the engine doesn’t fire up when it’s idling on one side, I’ve been trouble shooting in my project thread about it. I’m just trying to start from scratch and work my way through everything lol

 

If your running single choke carbs then fitting a balance tube between the manifolds may well sort out the uneven idle

 

do you know what I need to buy? Is it literally just some pipe? Lol

 

It depends on what you have at the moment
The manifolds may need removing so the can be drilled and tapped to accept a screw in Barb
Then the balance pipe connects to the barbs.

Twin single carbs are notorious for not firing on all four at idle unless a balance pipe is fitted.

 

Burn him!

 

I’ll have a look in a moment, there is already a port that’s been blocked off on each manifold I’m sure my friend said that’s where a balance pipe should be

 

You also need to begin with setting the air flow on both sides at idle to about the same. An unbalanced carburettor linkage can hold one throttle open and the other one more shut. Or a sloppy linkage with the throttle end stop screws allowing different air flow at idle.

 

the carbs have already been balanced and I balanced the linkage to suit, the return springs needed shortening a little to make them operate correctly too

 

Post some pictures up of your engine
It will help people on here see what you’ve got and spot any potential problems.

 

I think this is the only photo I really have

 

So first update. The notch in the pulley is set at the top lining up with the engines joining line, but the rotor isn’t pointing at cylinder one

 

Can you edit your post please and make the picture full size instead of a thumbnail
As when I open the thumbnail and try to zoom in the picture just springs back.

 

sorted for you

 

Turn it one more complete rev

 

Scrub that, it is pointing at where the lead for no.1 is attached on your engine photo.

 

Your accelerator cable looks quite slack in that picture also the fuel pressure regulator you have
They have a very poor reputation
It would be a good idea to get a gauge and check your fuel pressure incase it isn’t working.

 

yeah I’m going to upgrade the regulator to a malpassi one, when the engine is being revved it runs fine. When it idles it’s like it’s trying to rock a baby to sleep lol

I’m fairly certain my problem is an air intake leak

Just done a compression test on all cylinders

#1 140psi
#2 140psi
#3 150psi
#4 150psi

 

New engine numbers.

 

Do you have a balance pipe between the carb manifolds?

 

It's a type 4, TDC isn't with the pulley notch on the casing split line. Do you have timing scale?

This might help: https://projects.davidplanella.org/vw-bus/Timing