Listers,
I bought my 1980 spit about a year ago and until recently the engine
performance had been pretty good for a spit. I would experience a nice rev
acceleration to 5500 before shifting when I wanted to get on it a little. The
car climbed hills in forth with two adults and didn't seem to complain too
much. Now the story is very different, the car struggles to rev to 4000 and
the hills require at least one down shift. These symptoms appeared after one
week vacation, the car was garaged and the weather was very hot and humid. The
PO had removed the emmission system almost completely - air pump gone,
catalytic converter, exhaust manifold ( replaced with header) and EGR valve.
The anti-run valve is still in place but I don't know if it works, the car
never diesels with the key off so maybe it still functions. I have checked all
valve clearances, plug gaps (new last august - 2500 miles), and ignition
timing is 10 degrees BTDC.The original electronic ignition has been replaced
with a Crane system but appears OK. The carb is a single Zenith Stromberg CD4T
with some problems, I think. However, while trying to follow the Haynes manual
regarding the carb tune up I discovered that there was no vacuum at the front
vapor trap port at the carb, ie no vacuum at the vacuum unit ( retard only?).
I fixed that by tapping into the manifold vacuum line upstream of the anti-run
valve and all was well for about fifty miles this Saturday. Sunday late
afternoon my first drive and all the old symptoms are back. Any thoughts as to
where to begin? I'm still thinking the vacuum retard is not working. Can this
unit be checked? replaced? Also I suspect the carb of several faults that I
left alone because all was apparently well. These are ;
The car runs a little rich or so my nose thought
The By-Pass valve adjustment dose not do a thing
Plugged vacuum port to distributor
Autochoke working?
Well that is about it, your thought are appreciated my trial and error methods
might work just it time to see the leaves change.
Pete VanDuyne
|