Todays findings

[Rich Kinsley <rlkinsley@xxxxxxxxx>]

Rich Kinsley '64 Dodge Polara 4dr 318poly w/goodies

This is like a soap opera. Today I removed the valve covers and retested 
and corrected the valve lash. This time I used the method Earl Helm said 
to use. I turned the engine to TDC and did #1, then turned it 90deg to 
the next cylinder in the firing order and set it. This was real easy and 
I found if I removed the dist cap all I had to do was turn it till the 
reluctor and mag pick-up were in line. I had over-tightened a few with 
my keep tighting till they're all .014" at any point. My reasoning was 
that the gap shouldn't be more than .014" at any point and if it was, 
tighten it. Sounds right but I guess it's not. D**n my mechanic :-) I 
did discuss this scenario with Dodger too.

I checked the plugs and see no oil. I did a compression test with the 
plugs pulled and dry cylinders with 5 cranks of the starter. 5 were at 
185psi and the other 3 were at 182psi. I'd say that's good. I couldn't 
find my leak down fitting. I put in new plugs too.I also put the timing 
light on every plug wire and they stayed steady. So I am convinced the 
rings, valve settings and ignition are doing fine.

Then I started the car and ran it about 15 minutes at idle. The fuel 
pressure looked a little high but it's hard to tell 'cause the gauge is 
at the end of the fuel block after the carbs and it jumps 2 or 3 psi 
constantly as the carbs suck some fuel off. I'll move it to the other 
output on the press regulator and that should make it accurate. I did 
set the press down a bit as it looked high. The car ran nice and cool 
and idled smooth. Then it started to sputter and my stepson said he saw 
the fuel press drop to about 3 or less. Then it did the same old cough, 
gasp, backfire with bluish smoke and dieseled before it finally died. It 
restarted fine about 5 minutes later and ran good again.

Next I am going to concentrate on the fuel system as I really feel it's 
the culprit. Maybe the pump or the reg are messing up or I still doubt 
the last fill up with the octane booster. That's when the problem 
started. I'll see if there's any seperating in the fuel and check the 
filter too. I'll let you know in the next chapter :-)


----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.