Hey Ive been workin on getting my 73 duece coupe running for a while now, recently picked up a 12a bridgeport. My questions are how do know when the engine is TDC to get the timing. I know you lign up the timing pin with the leading notch on the pulley, then line up the the notch on the distributer housing with the mark on gearshaft. When I do this the only thing that happens is a fireball out the exhaust.

Any help is apreciated...

 

You need to make sure that your pully is on right. If your not using racing beats one piece billet aluminum. Some of the stock ones will allow the pulley with the mark to me 90 dgrees out either way.I would double check that. then make sure your distributor is in right. hten set it about in the middle to start with. I would run about 15-18 degrees advanced on that. I have a friend thats big into rx-2's down in your area and he actually has a shop and does rotary work. if you still cant get it figured out PM me and ill give you his number. mabe he could take a look at it for the fun of it.

CJG

CJG

 

hey 73rx3 did you ever post pics of your ride on the forum? idont remember what your working on. Matt22

 

(MATT22 ..I know that you love RX-3'S but he said RX-2)LOL!

 

I pulled off the pulley, and unlike the 1982 12a I put in my Rx2 the first time (couldnt get started either...) there was a smaller hole that line up with what looked be the remnants of "rivet." From what I saw, as long as what the pulley is bolted up to, is correct than I shouldnt have to mess with it. But if I was only off by 1 tooth, would it cause flames to shoot out the exhaust, or is that happening because of the timing being farther off...or is it something a lot worse, like requiring a rebuild....

 

Try to line the marks up on the dizzy as best you can, with the engine at TDC. Then install the dizzy and set the timing to full advance. This should get it to start and it wont hurt anything. Once you get her warmed up and running, go ahead and mess with the distributor to correctly set the timing (dont leave it full advanced). You should really lock the dizzy because bridgys dont like to idle at 0 degrees timing. I have my 12a bridge with the timing locked at 20 degrees.