Thread: 186 Engine problem NEED HELP

A Bosch electronic dizzy that was standard on the later model Holden straight six engines and a Stromberg carby in good nic that is the correct one (jets, venturi etc.) for the 186, and you will have a good reliable donk that performs well.

Cheers, Mick.

Originally Posted by mick88

A Bosch electronic dizzy that was standard on the later model Holden straight six engines and a Stromberg carby in good nic that is the correct one (jets, venturi etc.) for the 186, and you will have a good reliable donk that performs well.

Cheers, Mick.

I actually have a stromberg... but it's just not very good (as per previous statements.) My problem is that I don't really know enough about these things! I don't really know people who do know nitty gritty stuff about it all, that can sit down with me and go through my gear and tell me about it and make me fix it! I sure as hell can't afford to pay someone; ie. a mechanic in Mackay; to fix it! and plus then I wont learn anything, which is half the point of having the Series in the first place!

Maybe I should have spent more and got the Bosch dizzy, but money is a bit tight atm so I went for the aftermarket jobby, maybe it wasn't cheaper after-all.... I will keep fiddling with it until 1 of 3 things happens:

1. It works!
2. I give up and buy a bosch unit
3. I burn the car

no wait there is a 4th - buy a decent feeler gauge and go back to using crappy old points....

Went out for another play just before. Disconnected the Vac advance hose (sealed the end of the hose with vice grips) then started it and got the idle speed to about 600-700ish.... not sure how accurate the tacho is. was running ok, would rev up to 3000rpm no problems! even picked up from idle good with hardly any flat spot (standing still, not driving). Wow i'm pretty excited by now! although there is a miss happening... not sure why, any ideas on that would be good.

So in my new found enthusiasm I decided to see what happens if I un-seal the vac advance! NO difference *insert perplexed look here* tried putting my finger on the hose to feel the vacuum, nothing, so i stuck it on my cheek, still nothing! So I thought, O well too bad maybe it's not much vacuum and can't be felt. O and yes the engine was running!

Stuck the vac hose back on the dizzy, re-start engine. That miss has become more pronounced. BUT what really got me was that now the engine wont rev!!! idles ok but no revs! grrrrrrr.....

My theory: Something incorrect about the vac advance unit.

Question: What can I do about it? I'm going to assume that permanently disconnecting will be bad for fuel economy and possibly bits inside the engine.

You need to get the timing set correctly before you look any further Nick.

just re-read what I posted.

I ment that I shifted the timing until the idle speed was 6-700. Wouldn't that mean that my timing is pretty close? I havn't touched the carbi at all.

It's been awhile since I played with a 186.
I don't think your going about it correctly.

Have a look here-186 timing issue | OldHolden.com

That'll get your timing right.
Then adjust the idle screw and mixture to get your idle speed.

I think the vac advance needs to be disconnected when setting timing.

My memory is failing me.........

Just a thought.
If the engine idles but it won't rev.It could be possible that you need to look at the main jet and associated emulsion tube.
Could be blocked.
Don't be afraid of this carby. They are as simple as you can get.
Put another kit through it.
With regards to the leaks. Invert the carb body and use medium emery paper on a piece of flat glass and use a figure of 8 motion to try and correct any warpage. repeat this on the top horn (remove the vacuum piston first)
You need to set the float level with the engine running and the vacum hole blocked.
Any old holden manual will show you how.
Best of Luck

Don