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- From: spidell@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Bob Spidell)
- Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 17:26:56 GMT
- Subject: Re: Tuning with a Thermometer
- Message-ID: <39670096@hpcc01.corp.hp.com>
- Organization: the HP Corporate notes server
- Path: sparky!uunet!usc!sdd.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!hplextra!hpcc05!hpcc01!spidell
- Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
- References: <4463@sicsun.epfl.ch>
- Lines: 40
-
- boutzev@lcaohp2.epfl.ch (Lubomir Boutzev) writes:
-
- > Hi.
- > This might (or might not ? ) be a useful trick for tuning pesky
- > carbs.
- > My "experimental" vehicle's carb had to be tuned and I don't have
- > exhaust analyzer.
- > Previously I was doing this "by ear" and after several trials and errors
- > obtained the correct mixture for optimal performance.
- > This time I tried something new: A thermocouple on the exhaust collector.
- > The method of tuning with this was the following:
- > -Let the engine warm up at around 2000rev/min;
- > -Switch (short the thermocontactor) the radiator fan;
- > -Load the alternanor with ads much load as it can take, rear window defrost,
- > headlights, additional rheostat if possible;
- > -Set the engine speed at 2000 rev/min;
- > -Adjust the mixture (while re-adjusting the throttle)for constant engine speed)
- > so that the thermocouple reads the LOWEST possible exhaust gaz temperature.
- >
- > In practice the time constants are quite big and it takes several minutes
- > for the temp to settle to a stable value for each mixture setting.
- >
- > After this I checked the ignition timing with the usual strobe light an normal
- > idling conditions.
- >
- > The results ? Good overall performance, much better than the one I get from the
- > smog control settings performed by the official garage. (acceleration & top speed)
- > Advices ? Comments ?
- > It could be nice to use exhaust temperature for carb tuning because a
-
- You are adjusting the mixture by means of Exhaust Gas Temperature. This
- method is used on many piston-engined aircraft to adjust mixture while in
- flight. Basically, lower EGT = richer mixture, which may explain your
- performance increases, although on most carburetors you are only adjusting
- the idle mixture, not the mixture across the range of engine speeds.
-
-
- regards,
- bs
-
-