80 spider starts fine sounds fine but no power

[Rob80Spider]

Well, where should I start, I inspected the fuel filter by blowing into the end. There was some discharge but I've changed fuel filters that were much worse. I put a new fuel filter on it just to be sure. I checked the fuel thats coming through the fuel pump again. It's got a lot of debris in the gas. It's probably the best move to drain this tank. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to do that?

Next was the air filter. I've put that back together. It seems to be working fine now. I've also replaced the plugs. While I was at it, I checked out the wires and vacuum hoses. The car starts great now. I've driven it around the block. There seemed to be much more power this time. However, its started making an intermittent "rattling" noise coming from the motor. It only seems to do it when the car is driving. It almost sounded like something metal is loose. I checked everything I could think of with no luck. I really hope this isn't a major issue. Any ideas?

One thing I haven't done yet is turn the water tee over in the correct position. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement gasket? It looks as if the last time that piece was taken off they used some type of sealant and left the gasket off all together. Is this commen practise? What type of sealant would that be?

So the car starts up without a problem now but idles rough. Plus that rattling noise. I was afaid to drive it any further than I had to after that noise started.

Thanks,
Rob

[So Cal Mark]

since it also runs rough, I'd take the spark plugs back out and inspect them. If you have one with a closed gap, inspect the cylinder for a foreign object that fell in when you changed the plugs

[kmead]

You should be able ton drain most of the gas into a bucket by removing the hose from the fuel pump and opening the gas cap. It should gravity feed out the hose. Eventually you will reach a point where you no longer get any fuel out NA you can remove the tank from the car.

It is fairly easily removed from the trunk. Once it is out, remove the fuel gauge sender, completely drain it, wash it out with water and detergent, you can take it to a shop to have it boiled out. There are a number of different ways to recoat the interior of the tank and remove the rust if you cannot find a shop to clean it. A search of the forum will give you some ideas to pursue.

Glad you are now running again.

[Rob80Spider]

Ok guys,
I haven't been able to work on my car much lately but there are new problems. I've found solutions to most of them but I do have one I need help with. When I put my car in gear and try to drive it, a tapping noise comes from the intake cam. Its a loud tap so I guess it could be called a knock. I've read other topics to see if any come close, it looks like there is only one. His problem is constant, if I understand it correctly, unlike mine which only happens when the car is in gear. I have another issue that could be related. I have an oil leak through a bad gasket between the exhaust cam and the cylinder head( head gasket?).

Should I work on the timing? Or is that unrelated? I am afraid to drive the car with this noise not to mention all the pretty smoke coming off the exhaust pipe due to the oil leak. I would appreciate any adviceyou might have.

Thanks,
Rob

[So Cal Mark]

a tapping noise under load can be an exhaust leak. Believe it or not, the leak can have a very metallic sound especially if it's right at an exhaust port

[Cozi]

I had that metallic tapping a couple of weeks ago. Mine was from the exhaust side. Would go away once the engine warmed up. The nature of the sound had me checking valve clearances. Everything was in order there. Upon further examination I found the rearmost bolt on the exhaust manifold was finger tight. Torqued it down and the tapping was gone. Curious how it so faithfully mimicked a valve-lash issue.

[Rob80Spider]

I've used an old wooden rod as a stethoscope. The only place that this noise came from was the intake cam. Is it possible that its still an exhaust leak? Whats really strange to me is that I don't hear this noise until I put the car in gear.

I just returned home to find that my 23 year old son has taken the plelum apart. If I just put it back together is there going to be any vacuum problems? I wish I had the experience not to have to ask some of these questions.

Thanks,
Rob
1980 FI 2000 Pinifarini Spider

[Rob80Spider]

I've made a rookie mistake. Would someone tell me which plug wire goes to which cylinder? My car is 1980 Fiat 2000 Spider FI

[So Cal Mark]

your dist cap should be numbered, cyl #1 is in the front and 4 is in the rear. As long as the plenum gasket didn't tear, no harm in just reassembling it