72' 124 starting issue

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What's the correct way to do a compression test on my 1608?

[NCArachnid]

Check this out. http://www.automedia.com/Engine_Compres ... 050801cc/1

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Thanks Jon, very helpful indeed, many thanks.

I have some good news. Took it to the one shop in town that really knows their stuff. He's so backed up, he offered to help.
You know the linkage connector on the fire wall, white plastic piece that sandwiches the U shaped bracket?
Well the other white piece that holds it in place is missing, the linkage is sliding all over the place, kinda sideways.
So there's one good place to start. He thinks that may be the cause of the low throttle/speed. Now where to find he parts, or fab one.
LINKS TO LINKAGE:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobodysdarling/4883849440/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobodysdar ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobodysdar ... otostream/

I spent some time driving it, all seems well, but now the alternator light is on on the tach?
And the idle is up to 1200, started normal on my trip, I'm assuming and hoping it again, is the linkage issue contributing.
And, I have some shuttering in the clutch, once it sound like some metal hopping out of place, I feel it in the gas pedal though, not the clutch. Kinda odd. Maybe linked to the throttle issue, not getting enough gas etc?


One last thing, what should the temp gauge be at? Running a few ticks under the red line, maybe 2/3 above 190, which I've gathered is optimal when first starting?

It rained pretty hard, tomorrow the compression test, check timing, change fuel filter/
Man, it fogged up GOOD in the car, could barely see, and then the low speed wipers.
Maybe the brown wire fix tomorrow.

[majicwrench]

So car revs up now?? Gets up to speed?
Should be pretty simple to have somebody depress gas pedal, and look down carb throat and see if throttle all the way open. Not sure what white piece I was looking at, could go look at mine I guess. I have a couple of parts cars BTW.
Idle, on a carbed car idle will at times be an issue. Yes, linkage could be contributing.
Temp, should stay in the 190 deg range. Nothing wrong with going a little over that, but not much. Does your fan come on when engine hot?
Cooling systems on these kinda odd and hard to fill. Make darn sure it is full.

Heading out to look at white piece on parts car..
Keith

[majicwrench]

OK, I see the white piece on my parts car. Yup, you are missing something. Should be easy to fab temp piece or I can send you one.
Keith

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Send it, I'm on the phone as we speak to place order at Fiat Plus. Shipping is more than parts.

[majicwrench]

Send it where???:)

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Sent you an email with my address.

So whats your take on the shutter in the clutch via the gas pedal, the alt light on and the temp?

[So Cal Mark]

temp is way too high, shouldn't go over 195
early linkage is a bad design since it's anchored on the engine on one end and the firewall on the other. Every time you accelerate the engine torques up and trys to pull the throttle open.
If the alt light is on, it's not charging

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where should I begin looking for temp issues? Of course after I iron the rest of this out.

[NCArachnid]

For the overheating try this....

1) Make sure the cooling system is full of coolant. Sounds like a no-brainer but there is a trick in these cars. Check out this: http://www.mirafiori.com/124/cooling.html and http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/co ... lbleed.htm

2) Check the thermostat. This can be done indirectly by noting the temperature difference in the upper and lower radiator hoses as the engine warms up. First with the engine (and presumably both radiator hoses) cold, note the temperature of the upper and lower hoses and the radiator tank with your hands. Next, start the engine and let it warm to operating temperature. While it is warming up, you should note that the upper hose gets warm while the lower stays cool. By the time the temp. gauge reaches ~190 deg. the thermostat should be open making both the upper and lower radiator hoses hot. If the thermostat isn't opening the upper and lower hose will maintain a difference in temperature. The cooling fan should also come on at about 190 deg.

3) Check the fan. If the fan didn't come on at 190 deg, you can check to see if it is the fan switch or the fan (power to the fan). The fan switch is in the bottom tank of the radiator on the drivers side. It has 2 wires connected to it. With the key on, take one of the wires off and ground it to the inner fender somewhere and the fan should run. If the fan runs then it is likely the fan switch. If it doesn't run it is a little more difficult to chase down whether the fan is bad or there is no power to a good fan. That being said the fan doesn't do a large amount of the cooling on these cars. The fan will likely only run when idling for long periods or during stop and go traffic.

As for the drive-line vibration, could be a number of things. One thing you probably want to check and replace is the rubber flex disc. This connects 2 sections of the drive shaft allowing some flex. Failure of this part can cause bodily harm to the driver and or passenger if the free end of the rotating drive shaft decides to enter the passenger compartment through the floor boards. They are only about $25 and easily replaced with hand tools.

Lots of info. Hope it is helpful.

[majicwrench]

Spence,
White piece is in the mail.
Keith

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Keith, you are the man brother! Thanks so much.
I need to run by Sears and pickup a 19mm, 18mm is the largest I have, and it will not fit the plugs, strange.
Picked up a compression tester, borrowing a timing light, 2 things I can do till the part arrives.
Temp was normal today, strange. A good flush may be needed.

[majicwrench]

Flushes don't often fix things. Getting it full of coolant and getting the air pocket out is key on our cars.
I have read all sorts of ways to fill cooling system, mine, I just keep adding coolant, come back a bit later add a bit more etc. Then run for a minute, let sit, check add a bit more. Right to the top. Repeat. Doesn't take too long. Always wondered if driving onto something to get it nose up would speed process.
My fan does not come on at 190 degrees. My fan has never come on. Maybe I am not getting it hot enough, engine has been a tad over 190 in the past, but likely less than 210. My fan works fine if I cross wires at switch.
I am not concerend about getting over 195, heck most cars run 195 deg thermostats and the electric fans don't come on till 230deg.
ANyway, keep us posted.
Plugs take 13/16
Keith

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Part arrived today from Big Sky, courtesy of Kool Keith. Man, really great to have such outpouring of help from the community. I would have to say the most stand up yet, beat my Duc crew by a mile.