Offroad-Express

I've just picked up a cheap 1986 Charade for the kids to learn to drive in. Its got the G-11 993cc 3 cyl engine, which goes surprisingly well. But it's "pinking" quite badly so is obviously over-advanced. Under the bonnet, the label says it should be set 5 deg BTDC. but I can't find any timing marks anywhere. Can anyone help? Any other comments on things to look for which may need maintenance also welcomed...

Hi, is that the Charade from Wellington that has Just been on T/M ? They are a very under rated little car, I bought one 4yrs ago for my daughter $800 It has been all round the south island and still going strong.

Now tune up , do plugs and points , air filter, make sure the exhaust and inlet manifolds are tight, tighten two bolts holding fuel pump to block --- they can be source of oil leak. Other than that get the kids out driving. Good idea to buy a bomb for the kids and keep them away from your vehicle.

Points----- .020"
Plugs------.030"
Timing---- 5deg, Can't remember where timing marks are, but sure they are on front pully, Drive vehicle on road in 4th gear and put foot on accelerator hard to the floor at about 30kph keep retarding the spark till there is no pinking heard and your timing should be spot on, to retard turn dist; in direction of rotor--- only very small distance at a time, just move and thats all. Make sure you tune it for what ever octane fuel you intend to run in it and stay with that fuel.
Let me know how you get on.

CHARADE'S ARE THAT GOOD THEY SHOULD HAVE A TOYOTA BADGE ON THEM,

FITZY.

Thanks for the comments - No sign of timing marks on front pulley - maybe around the bellhousing? I'll try the "stop pinking" technique anyway. I got it locally here in Blenheim for $300 plus a trailer of firewood. That's registered & WOF ran out last week, so not a bad deal! I thought the old FJ40 with locked rear might be a bit of a challenge for learning...

CHARADE'S ARE THAT GOOD THEY SHOULD HAVE A TOYOTA BADGE ON THEM,

FITZY.

NO NO NO

that should read
TOYOTA'S ARE THAT GOOD THEY SHOULD HAVE A DAIHATSU BADGE ON THEM

but serously ... Charades are dam good little cars, the 80's models do tend to "pink" a little on 91 octane no matter have much you screw with the timing, mine used to prefer the "old" leaded super, but 50 000km pinking, clanging and spulttering with indifferent (read no) maintanance it was still going strong when we swapped it for a Daihatsu Hi-jet. the only problem we ever had with the charade is watch out for rust, unlike their 4bies the Daihatsu car family suffered badly from it.