I got my 142 running the other night. My excitement didn't last too long, as it began to overheat quickly. I removed the thermostat, and verified coolant was being circulated, but it still overheated. I read in the Haynes manual that bad timing can cause overheating, so I thought I would begin taking a look at the timing. The first thing I checked was to see if the distributor vacuum advance was hooked up to the manifold, which it was. I removed the line and tried to blow through it, but it was clogged. I looked in the end that was connected at the intake manifold, and saw something in there. So I cut it out, and it was a copper looking ball the size of a BB. After I reconnected the vacuum line, the engine ran better and did not overheat, but it still needs adjusted.

This BB shouldn't be in there, right?

-JC

Justin,
My apologies for changing the subject, but I noticed that the "stance" of your green 142 is considerably higher in the rear than on mine -- an improvement, I would say. What kind of springs do you have under there?
Bob S.

Vacuum advance distributors are very rare on B20s - it's much more likely that it's a vacuum retard.

Removing the thermostat may not tell you whether coolant is being circulated -- feeling the top hose, or the top of the radiator can. If it's hot, the thermostat has opened; if it stays cool, the tstat probably hasn't.

Best thing to do: set the timing according to the procedure in the Haynes (note that it says 'vacuum regulator disconnected'). You might find that it runs better with the vacuum unit disabled, as you found it; and you might find that it runs better with the unit connected.

Very likely vacuum retard.

Best,

Cameron
Rose City

No.If there is a restriction,the spark wont advance as rpm increases.Someone probably plugged it up thinking its an emissions device.

No there should be NO restrictions in that hose.Vaccum pulls a diaphram that advances the timing as the engine rpm increases.

If it is a US car it is very likely to be vacuum retard and it is an emissions device.

There are some cars that do have check valves in the vacuum line to the distributor, and these can be like a BB in a metal tube, but this would not have been stock on a 140.

What most of these cars need for better performance and better gas mileage are
vacuum advance distributors.

John
V-Performance.com

My '71 1800E was a -LOT- happier when I totally disconnected that vaccum retard line.