Classic/Antique Car Repair/Using retard control

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Expert: - 4/12/2008


Question
I have a 1923 Studebaker and it is my first vintage car Can you  give me advise on driving her using the retard control on the steering wheel and when not to use it I am not mechanically minded and will be useing the car for pleasure

Answer
This is to set the spark timing back so that the engine will not kick back when starting. Retard the timing to start the car and when the engine fires slowly advance the timing to get the engine to run smooth. When driving advance the timing to provide a smooth running engine with the least amount of throttle. When climbing a hill it may be necessary to retard the timing just a bit to stop spark knock. It will take some playing with the thing to get comfortable with it.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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