Installing 32/36 Weber and New Intake on my 79

[18Fiatsandcounting]

If the plug wires are all seated correctly, the next thing I would check is the plug gaps. On non-electronic ignition, you don't want them to be much higher than 0.027". It can be higher for electronic ignition, perhaps up to 0.032" or so.

-Bryan

[Pescado]

some progress...changed out the plugs with some old ones and the car is now firing on all cylinders. The newer ones that I pulled out are black and glossy quite dirty.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

some progress...changed out the plugs with some old ones and the car is now firing on all cylinders. The newer ones that I pulled out are black and glossy quite dirty.

Good. The plugs are black because it's running too rich, so now we (well, you) turn our (your) attention to the fuel pooling up above the throttle plates. My guess is that this is because the float is set incorrectly. In this case, the fuel level is too high in the bowl.

Another thing that people do is put an insulating phenolic spacer between the manifold and the carb so that the carb stays a bit cooler.

-Bryan

[Pescado]

some progress...changed out the plugs with some old ones and the car is now firing on all cylinders. The newer ones that I pulled out are black and glossy quite dirty.

Good. The plugs are black because it's running too rich, so now we (well, you) turn our (your) attention to the fuel pooling up above the throttle plates. My guess is that this is because the float is set incorrectly. In this case, the fuel level is too high in the bowl.

Another thing that people do is put an insulating phenolic spacer between the manifold and the carb so that the carb stays a bit cooler.

-Bryan

Float should be close now as the new one is installed and no flooding at this point is visible...keep in mind I haven't got the car hot yet.

I did buy a spacer from Vicks when building the upgrade not sure its phenolic but it is plastic.

Got the car started and rpm adjusted but noticed now that black droplets are spitting out of the exhaust and a small pool of black under the header to pipe connection ( must be a leak )

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I did buy a spacer from Vicks when building the upgrade not sure its phenolic but it is plastic.

That should be fine.

Got the car started and rpm adjusted but noticed now that black droplets are spitting out of the exhaust and a small pool of black under the header to pipe connection ( must be a leak )

Most likely you are just blowing out all the soot from the exhaust sysem, when it was only running on 2 or 3 cylinders along with the float issue.

Best solution now is to drive the car and give it a good "blowing out." Don't thrash it, but spend some time at 4000 to 5000 rpm.

-Bryan

[Pescado]

Thanks for the help Bryan…I’ll report back soon.

[Pescado]

New plugs, new oil, and new cooling fan as the old one decided to crap out while all these other items were being addressed. Happily I get to report that the car is running good now. I feel like maybe some fine tuning with ignition timing and air/fuel is needed to dial things in but I’m close.

[Pescado]

Hey all…since my last post we’ve been enjoying the car with no real issues except for a throttle issue that comes up only after the car is running hot. The issue can be remedied by punching the gas peddle…this brings the rpm down but only until I accelerate over 2000, once I pass 2000rpm it’s sticks again in and around that range, it increases no problem but when slowing the car down it won’t reduce rpm lower than the 2000 range….basically I’m driving this thing toe and heel all the time when down shifting. Today I made some adjustments to the throttle linkage but no time for a test drive, also thinking about changing the springs on the throttle assembly as maybe they’re tired…we’ll see.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

also thinking about changing the springs on the throttle assembly as maybe they’re tired…we’ll see.

That can help. The other issue is that the nut on the end of the primary throttle shaft is too tight. Some carbs don't like that nut to be too tight, and sticking of the throttle shaft is the result. Not too loose, as the nut can fall off (it's happened to me), but that's why that little washer with the tab on it is there to prevent the nut from loosening.

-Bryan

[PaulC]

Hey all…since my last post we’ve been enjoying the car with no real issues except for a throttle issue that comes up only after the car is running hot. The issue can be remedied by punching the gas peddle…this brings the rpm down but only until I accelerate over 2000, once I pass 2000rpm it’s sticks again in and around that range, it increases no problem but when slowing the car down it won’t reduce rpm lower than the 2000 range….basically I’m driving this thing toe and heel all the time when down shifting. Today I made some adjustments to the throttle linkage but no time for a test drive, also thinking about changing the springs on the throttle assembly as maybe they’re tired…we’ll see.

Take a look here http://mirafiori.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=103473.
Sounds like this may be a source of the problem.

[Pescado]

Hey Paul/Bryan,

Thanks for your thoughts, so I’ve tried loosening and tightening the nut on the carb but this doesn’t seem to remedy my issue. As for the dizzy, this is a brand new one but I still opened it up to have a look ( by the way that’s a great article) to see if anything looked strange but all looks good.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

The other thing that causes "stickiness" is any parts of the throttle linkage with dried up grease, the parts up in the footwell connected to the gas pedal. Hard to get to, but if these have never been taken apart, cleaned, and lubricated, now might be the time. Old throttle cables might need to be regreased.

-Bryan