Turbo Odyssey Part 23 -- Hits and Misses

October 5, 2005

Right now I am working on getting the motor running and getting my interior completed.  Work goes well on one front and on the other, well....

I can't seem to figure out why I can't get the motor running properly.  If it sits awhile it will start at a high RPM and then continue increasing revs until I shut it down.  The first step was to back off the timing.  That seemed to work at first but eventually it would stall and the motor would crank as though it was flooded.  This cycle has happened repeatedly.

The gas pedal seems to have no effect.  

I replaced the carb with a Clarks rebuild before we put the motor back in the car.

Here's what I have done so far:  I checked the idle mixture screw, turned it until it lightly seated and backed it out 3/4 of a turn.  I made sure the idle speed screw was not turned way down.  I rotated the cover of the choke until it was in the same position as my old carb's choke cover.  I disconnected the fuel return line where the rubber hose from the engine compartment connects to the metal line.  I then blew compressed air down the line.  I could see gas rushing through the Temporary Clear Plastic Fuel Filter of Great Controversy  (or TCPFFCC for short) and gas came rushing out of the return line from the fuel filter in the engine compartment, so I know that my fuel lines are clear.

I have inspected the throttle linkage.  The throttle lever on the carb is in the correct, closed position.  When I pull on the throttle rod in the engine compartment, I can see the accelerator pedal dropping to the floor.

So I think that covers everything I know.  I am open for suggestions.  I am thinking that the next step will be to put the old carb back on the motor, which I know was working when I first got the car.

As for the interior, Monday night I installed the driver's door window.  Last night I got the last window, right quarter, installed and aligned.  About that time my friend Bruce Weeks stopped by and helped me to install the trim that goes around the convertible top well.  We then installed some sound deadening material in the bottom of the well.  This stuff is like Dynamat, only cheaper. I didn't have time to take pictures last night, but I plan on using the stuff throughout the interior, and there will be pictures and a more detailed report on that aspect of the project later. 

This morning I dropped the Corsa off at the trim shop to have the seat covers and convertible top installed.  It may be done as soon as tomorrow.  I expect this to make a dramatic difference.  Once that's done I have the motor to sort out, there are a about a dozen or so niggling details to take care of, the carpet and trim pads need to be installed, and I should be close to done.

Although I don't have any pictures for this post, yesterday Dan Konkle emailed me the pictures he took the day we installed the motor.  Here's me de-griming some part, probably a u-joint saddle:

This is the dummy powertrain Dan graciously provided for me, ready to return home:

And here I am taking calls in the engine compartment:

No wonder I never get anything done. 

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