Yesterday my insurance was due along with the local 'Air Care' test.
Without time to order and receive new Throttle spindles as I found my car
uses the carbs from a GT6 I improvised.
Using vacuum line plugs that matched to spindle diameter I cut them short
and punched holes in the ends.
This I used to cap either side of each Stromberg where the throttle spindle
comes out.
I leaned out to the max + 1 and had the car tested.
FAIL
The failed component of the test was Hydrocarbons at idle. I went past the
max allowable and past where the meter stops reading. An indication of
fresh gas blowing out the tail pipe.
As this seemed like normal operating conditions I was stumped.
I replaced the spark plugs and they all looked fine.
I replaced some hoses too.
I tightened the linkage and welded the bracket on the firewall the gas
peddle links to when it enters the engine compartment. This has always
been very loose.
I put some new filter material in the carbs.
The filter inserts used for shop wet vacs is very close to the right
diameter.
After syncronizing again, extra super lean + 2 and a tank of Super Octane
92 I went for a test.
FAIL
The lean nature of the carbs forced the car to run poorly and the choke
solution smoothened out the
ride.
However, something else was up. I pulled each plug wire off as the car was
running and found #4 to not have much of an effect, although there was
plenty of spark.
Compression test gave a reading of about 20 where 2 and 3 were 165 and 1
was 135.
I removed the valve cover and found the rod tightly jammed up against the
rocker. I regapped. Looks like a situation where the valve is either
being stretched or the head is collapsing thus never allowing the valve to
close. Fresh gas blow-through zone.
There was still enough room dispite the lengthening valve to allow the
valve to close.
Looks like a head rebuild coming up
Replaced all removed parts. Re-tuned to 'it is not so lean nothing should
get through + 3'
and re-tested.
Is was 5 pm on Saturday, I was the last car.
Maximum allowable reading 1500, My car 1420.
PASS
Oh, I put a PCV between the bottom engine vent and the intake manifold.
When I replaced a few hoses I put it in backwards and ...
Oil leaked out of that car from everywhere.
..
Just thought I would pass on my adventure.
Next year I go through this whole thing again.
dgb
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