Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual page 740

6C-4 1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
Replace points that are burned or badly pitted.
Where burned or badly pitted points are encoun-
tered, the ignition system and engine should be
checked to determine the cause of trouble so it
can be eliminated. Unless the condition causing
point burning or pitting is corrected, new points
will provide no better service than the old. See
section 6E for condenser check.
On 6 cyl. engines, adjust distributor point gap to
.019" (new points) or .016" (used points), using a
flat feeler gauge. Breaker arm rubbing block must
be on high point of lobe during adjustment.
NOTE: Used contact points should be cleaned
before adjusting with feeler gauge.
Lubricate distributor breaker cam sparingly with dis-
tributor cam lubricant. Rotate sponge lubricator (6-
cyl) a few degrees to allow a new cam contact surface.
A new wick-type lubricator should be installed on
V-8 engines so equipped at 12 months or 12,000
miles. DO NOT LUBRICATE EITHER TYPE,
ALWAYS REPLACE.
Install rotor and distributor cap. Press all wires
firmly into cap towers.
SERVICE BATTERY AND BATTERY
CABLES
State of Charge Test
Measure the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each
cell. If it is below 1.230 (corrected to 80"F.), recharge
with a slow rate charger, and recheck battery.
Connect a voltmeter across the battery terminals and
measure the terminal voltage of the battery during
cranking (remove the coil secondary lead during this
check to prevent engine from firing). If the terminal
voltage is less than 9.0 volts at room temperature,
approximately 80"F.), the battery should be further
checked. See section 12 for battery checking proce-
dure using the "42 1" Tester.
Inspect for signs of corrosion on battery, cables and sur-
rounding area, loose or broken carriers, cracked or bulged
cases, dirt and acid, electrolyte leakage and low electrolyte
level. Fill cells to proper level with distilled water or water
passed through a demineralizer.
The top of the battery should be clean and the battery
hold-down bolts properly tightened. Particular care
should be taken to see that the top of the battery is kept
clean of acid film and dirt because of the high voltage
between the battery terminals. For best results when
cleaning batteries, wash first with a dilute ammonia or
soda solution to neutralize any acid present and then flush
off with clean water. Care must be taken to keep vent
plugs tight so that the neutralizing solution does not enter
the cell. The hold-down clamp should be kept tight
enough to prevent the battery from shaking around in its
holder, but it should not be tightened to the point where
the battery case will be placed under a severe strain.
To insure good contact, the battery cables should be tight
on the battery posts. If the battery posts or cable terminals
are corroded, the cables should be cleaned separately with
a soda solution and a wire brush. A thin coating of pe-
trolatum should be applied to the posts and cable clamps
to help retard corrosion.
If the battery has remained undercharged, see Charging
Circuit
-
Preliminary Checks, section 6E.
If the battery has been using too much water, the voltage
regulator output is too high.
GENERATOR
Unsatisfactory results obtained during battery testing may
indicate further tests of the generator as outlined in En-
gine Electrical (Section 6E).
FAN BELT
1. Inspect fan belt condition.
2. Check and adjust if necessary for correct tension of
belt, as follows:
Using a Belt Tension gauge, check the fan belt
midway between the water pump pulley and gen-
erator pulley.
Adjust generator on its mounting bracket to
proper fan belt tension. See Section 6A.
CHECK OPERATION OF MANIFOLD
HEAT VALVE
Check manifold heat control valve (6-cyl. engine only) for
freedom of operation. If shaft is sticking, free it up with
heat valve lubricant.
CHECK INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS
To check for a possible leak at the intake manifold, apply
some heavy oil around the suspected area. If there is in
fact a leak, oil will be sucked into engine when engine is
running. Tighten all bolts to specification and sequence as
outlined in Section 6. If gasket is bad, replace.