72' 124 starting issue

[majicwrench]

I posted a few years ago about wanting some trivial part, and POW here is was in my mailbox. So I am just passing on the favor.
Keith

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Paying it forward, I dig it.
Man that was quick. Prayin this will be the fix.

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Got the plate on, much better. Still some lag in acceleration, I did change the front fuel filter, gas color was good, but some definite grit/dirt in the fuel system, very fine particles. So I'm guessing this has reached the carb, which is gummed up.
Carbs are new to me, links on cleaning the Weber?
Waiting to get some canned air to blow out plug holes before I remove plugs/check compression.
And last, I will check the timing. So hopefully I will have better idea of the state of the car, and what's going on.
Thank you for all the help, tips and parts. Great community here.

[majicwrench]

NOthing really wrong with a little fine particles in fuel fitler , that is what it is supposed to stop. Rust flakes, sludge diff story.
Heck, get a straw and blow around the plug holes.
How much lag?? Carb is never gonna respond like FI. Gets up to speed now?? Idles??
Glad to hear you are making progress!
Keith

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Lag is considerable, feels like something is holding back, clogged like. The gas I did put in the cup was normal at first, hour later cloudy like urine. Will update later on compression.

I'm also considering upgrading the points system to electronic, thoughts?

[majicwrench]

Upgrade to electronic??....to me, sounds like you have lots of other things to worry about first, but it is your money. Points work wonderfully, and last for years. Unless I had a good reason to change,i would not.
Does engine idle OK now??

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Idle is good via tach, checking timing in a bit. Became friends with a guy at the local auto parts store, he let me borrow his timing light.
I told him it seems to hesitate around corners, he suggested maybe the floats?
I was thinking of the upgrade to electronic ignition as I've read people seem to have less issues with them.
But your the expert, so I heed your advice.

Edit: Checked timing, the hash mark on the pulley is a good bit advanced from the 3 timing marks on the cam shroud.
So it's way off no? To make sure I did this right, I attached the inductive clamp to the 1 ignition wire, and pos to pos neg to neg?
The idle is rough via sound, sounds like it's missing. Has a lump.
Ok the idle is pretty rough, I could feel it shuttering through the gas pedal. Lumping like it has high performance cams.

Also, the gas from the filter earlier, look like it has oil in it, like canola. Just has oily blobs, clear like. The fuel that spilled on my hands from the filter, smell more like oil than gas?

Edit again: I was out getting ready for the compression test, I was letting the engine warm. I looked under the hood, saw some fuel leaking at the fuel pump. Tried to see how tight the clamp was, the hose/brass fitting just came out under pressure. Shut her down quick. I can't see how the fitting goes in, looks like a hole on top of the port, maybe a screw holds the fitting in place? The fitting went back in, but surely it's held in the port somehow, pressure would surely work it out again? Here are some pics.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobodysdarling/4902479705/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nobodysdar ... otostream/

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Anyone? I'm stuck at this point, need some insight.

[majicwrench]

Can't really make out the pictures, but bottom line, if fitting goofed up on fuel pump, just change pump if you aren't sure, cheap and easy.
Clear blobs in fuel, esp if they sink to bottom, are usually water.
Does idle improve with choke pulled out?? Or does idle improve if you slowly put your hand over carb top??

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I'll try the hand over the carb tomorrow. The choke out, yes it does improve. And just to be sure, it is the fuel pump right under the carb? I may have the parts guy help me rebuild the carb, clean it.

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what's your thoughts on the timing?

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I got forced into a situation where I had to drive the Spider to work, 30 mile drive. On the straight a ways, did ok, hit 70Mph, it does not like hills, shoots down to 40Mph. The idle is all over the place, went dead a few times in traffic. Sounds like a lawnmower running. At 70Mph, it wouldn't take anymore pedal. I get half a mile from work, it died going up a hill, wouldn't start back up, rolled into a parking lot, gas is weeping from the mentioned port, all over the control arm. Finally started back up. Runs like an old Willy's Jeep. Has no get up and go, I got down to 20Mph at one point, traffic was getting mad.

I have to get this fixed quick, or I am going to have to sell for what I can. My only ride, not smart, but here I am.

So I know I have a fuel issue, timing issue, have yet to check compression.

[majicwrench]

Fuel issue, change pump. Two bolts couple of hoses. Fuel leaks are bad news

TIming issue, are you refering to marks on balancer not being lined up?? Just line em up, shows how in all the books. Likely not creating a huge problem. Fix leaks first!

Compression check, nice but not neccessary. Fix leaks first!

Idle, these carbs plug the idle/low speed jets and need to be cleaned out. Carb cleaner, compressed air, safetly glasses. I will try and get a pic of mine so you know where to look.
Keith

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Fuel pump is installed. Fired right up. Idle is crap. I left the air filter assembly off, listened, sounds stopped up, shutters when taking in air. Also, the breather hose was emitting smoke out? Now to figure how to disassemble carb, clean jets etc.

[77SportSpider]

My breather hose emits smoke too, I don't think it's cause for much concern.