Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

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TulsaSpider
Posts: 1547
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:33 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Spyder 124 2L
Location: Tulsa, Ok

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by TulsaSpider »

Glad you are making progress! Sounds like a bad cap or rotor perhaps now!
1978 Spyder 1800 make that 2L! Finally making real progress!
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Coil tested out perfect! I also checked all of the connections I could, and everything seemed normal.

I thought it couldn't hurt to at least *look* at the ignition module.

This is what I found...
Image


This is the most rust I have found on the car to date!
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manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by manoa matt »

Your local auto parts store will have those for about $25
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Yup, on my way. I am going to test the pickup\etc on my way out the door...
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Pickup and pickup gap were good.

Getting the new module was the easy part - finding replacement 3.5mm bolts for the ones I had to drill out was the hard part; I wound up having to tap the holes larger.

I am glad to say the new module made another noticeable improvement! It still doesn't seem to be quite perfect, but it is so, so much better than what I started with a few days ago!

There is now just the slightest hesitation, sometimes as low as 1,500rpm, when you accelerate quick. But none of the backfiring or bucking or stumbling. I am sure with a little more work I can clean that up as well... Maybe just a full tank of totally fresh gas and the valves dialed in a little better...

Thanks for all the help! I learned a lot. :D
majicwrench

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by majicwrench »

With everything in the last 20years having FI, a lot of people are forgetting what carbs are really like. Almost any carbed car bogged or stumbled a bit on hard accel.
Glad to hear about the progress!
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

I forgot to mention - The spark still isn't really blue. It is definitely more blue and stronger than it was, but I would not call it 'strong' yet. I will get a new cap and rotor next time I place a parts order I guess.

I also just tried to take it around the block before parking for the night; it didn't want to idle at all anymore. I am sure something stupid happened; namely, I am sure I messed up one of the plug wires when test-fitting the hood.

Tomorrow I am going to slap the lights, hood and trunk on and take it over to the emissions testing station. I don't expect it to pass the first time, but I need to know how far away I am... :D
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Failed emissions with 5x the limit for CO at idle. But, everything else was *very* close to passing. My intent was to experiment and loop back through the testing station a few times, but I forgot which direction on the idle mix was leaner; I also realized my fan wasn't working so I didn't want to sit in the line over and over and let the car overheat. :lol:

Turning the idle mix screw in is leaner, right? Advance is around 11 right now; will brining that back in a little help my CO at idle?
majicwrench

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by majicwrench »

Turning mix screw in will lean idle mix.
Retarding timing a couple degrees will not really change CO
Hopefully one of the guys that has to deal with emissions on a regular basis will chime in, I haven't had to deal with it in a looooong time.
Spark...I wouldn't worry bout not having "Blue" spark, that sure isn't cause a problem at idle CO. Did you open up a spark plug and try it?? If it will jump .080" it's fine
Keith
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Thanks for the info. I know from an old Bosch mechanical-CIS Volvo that as long as only ONE number is off, it is generally pretty easy to fix. And 5x the limit isn't really that bad; the first time I went through with that Volvo, I was at 15x the limit. :lol:

It will bridge .08, but it looks yellow and weak... Even the old motorcycles I mess with usually have a much better spark.

I am ordering a new cap and rotor with some other parts, just to see. Eventually, I'd really like to see a fat blue spark...
WBPDX

Re: Empi 32/36 DFEV - Too Rich?

Post by WBPDX »

Eventually passed emissions - Just had to turn in the idle mix. I also made sure I had only fresh, good gas in the tank along with a little bit of alcohol. The station attendant may have 'helped' a bit as well... Something weird was going on. :|
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