[fixed] Can you help me identify some parts under the hood?

[sshanky]

Hello everyone, I hope this is an appropriate post for this forum. I was wondering if someone could help me identify a few parts in my 1969 Spider. I got it recently and haven't had much experience with it, and most of my experience has been with some old diesel mercedes, not anything like this.

Here is a photo of the engine compartment with some numbers identifying the items in question:



#1 and #2 are lamps that illuminate the engine compartment when the headlights are on. I just recently discovered them because the connection to them or the fuse is loose. They're blue. Is this standard equipment?

#3 is a valve that clicks when I press button #5 (the arrow doesn't quite point to it, sorry). What is this valve for?

and finally, what is the small filter #4 for?

Thanks a lot, let me know if I should've posted this elsewhere. I'm excited to get this car running well!

[124JOE]

#4 is a crank case vent it went to the air filtter/but it better off with that on

[sshanky]

Oops! I just realized that I put in a photo that was too wide, and the right side was cut off. I just uploaded a corrected version so you can actually see the parts I am trying to figure out! Thanks

[124JOE]

i copyed the pic and looked at it in my photos

[azygoustoyou]

Wow, I don't know what any of it is.

[sshanky]

Really? I am confused by it as well. I did hear that the ignition was updated with something electronic, and there is a little black box there...not sure though. Anyone want to see a close up of it?

[ventura ace]

The lamps 1) and 2) are standard issue for the early cars. They were a clear bulb -- the blue is a replacement bulb. They turn on if the hood is open, and the light switch is on the Park or Headlight position. They are positioned so that you can see the water level in the overflow tank and the dipstick. There is another similar light fixture in the trunk that comes on when the trunk is open and the light switch is on the Park or Headlight position.

Pneumatic solenoid valve 3) and switch 5) are part of the emissions control system. If functional, it causes vacuum to pull on a diaphragm to partially open the throttle to a fast idle position. You can manually check it by pushing switch 5), but in normal driving it is activated when shifting into 3rd and 4th gears when the clutch is depressed.

Somebody already described #4.

The black box with the cooling fins is part of an aftermarket Crane 700 electronic ignition conversion.

Looks like a nice clean engine bay!

Alvon

[124JOE]

The black box with the cooling fins is part of an aftermarket Crane 700 electronic ignition conversion.

Looks like a nice clean engine bay!

Alvon

that crain cams box should be trouble free
however the shudder wheel under the rotor inside the cap can give you some trouble

[vandor]

Hi,

I don't think the fast idle solenoid (#3) is not connected properly, but it's hard to see from the pic. It looks like the front hose is going to the bowl vent connection of the carb, which is supposed to be connected to the gas-vapor system, not the fast idle solenoid. This bowl vent should never be plugged, as it will cause the carb to flood.

Do you have a timing belt cover? If not, I'd recommend getting one, as a stone under the belt can ruin your day.
I may have a used one.

[sshanky]

Alvon, thanks for the answers and the compliment on the engine bay! It seems like there is still a decent amount of oil on many surfaces, but I'm reluctant to power wash it like I do to the old diesel benzes -- I'm worried water will go where it shouldn't be or that something will break. Has anyone done it?

Vandor, I will post another photo of the solenoid area. What would be the impact of it being improperly connected? I do notice that the engine hesitates when I depress the accelerator unless I pull out the left-hand knob under the dash slightly to increase the idle just a tad...then all is fine.

As for the timing belt cover, I don't have it but will PM you to discuss (thanks).

[vandor]

> I will post another photo of the solenoid area. What would be the impact of it being improperly connected?

If the carb does not flood then it should not be a big deal. The fast idle would not work, but that is not really important, unless you want the car to be 100% original. You can likely remove the valve if you want to clean up the engine compartment.

> I do notice that the engine hesitates when I depress the accelerator unless I pull out the left-hand knob under the dash >slightly to increase the idle just a tad...then all is fine.

Only when cold, or all the time? The left knob should be the choke, so it richens the mixture. You should not have to use it once the engine is warmed up.

>As for the timing belt cover, I don't have it but will PM you to discuss (thanks).

I will look today and let you know.
Thanks,