"AncientOfDays" (ancientofdays)
05/09/2014 at 17:48 • Filed to: 1985 AMC Eagle
3
5|
"AncientOfDays" (ancientofdays)
05/09/2014 at 17:48 • Filed to: 1985 AMC Eagle | 3
| 5 |
After the carburetor was back in, and completely hooked up, it was time for the testing and tuning phase of the operation. Whereas before I had to tune the idle speed pretty high to have just a chance to avoid stalling, now it idles at a reasonable speed and gives no sign of stalling.
After a first road test, a little tuning, and a second, longer road test, the engine still hadn't stalled even once. I broke out the carb cleaner, sprayed it all around the carb, and the vacuum hose connections all over the engine. No identifiable change in idle speed. Not only that, but the engine runs smoother and actually quieter (yay!) than it has until now. I tried all the things that used to make the engine stall - gradual braking, braking to a stop or for speed bumps, hard steering while braking at low speeds, letting off the gas suddenly after prolonged higher RPMs while parked, doing any of the above with the A/C on full - and no stalling. Not even a threat of it, where the engine lugs and the voltage light comes on briefly and you have to jab the gas pedal in the nick of time.
Coming back from the second road test after the rebuild, my expression was something like this:
It might sound like no big deal, but this is, to use an over-used expression, a "game changer". Especially if the fuel economy improves as much as I believe it will, now that there are no identifiable vacuum leaks. Of course, this doesn't really help my decision about which car to sell, but it does mean that there's a greater likelihood that either choice would be equally viable. Here's my updated "to do" list:
Cure the stalling problem
4-wheel alignment
flush brake fluid
interior cleaning
new gas springs for rear hatch
replace 4WD actuator
new under-hood insulation
fix cruise control
new paint job
new audio system
Lekker
> AncientOfDays
05/09/2014 at 17:57 |
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Thats awesome!!!
Mind posting some pics? I always love seeing how we can gradually change little things and how they add up at the end.
By the way, best use of that image ever. Mostly because probably most of us can relate to. Double win sir.
Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> AncientOfDays
05/09/2014 at 17:59 |
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5 things on your list are not needed.
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AncientOfDays
> Lekker
05/09/2014 at 18:02 |
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Thanks. I might be able to scrounge up some pics for the next update. There are some of the rebuild process on my last post, if that will tide you over.
Re: the Clarkson smile. There haven't been too many times I've felt like that with this project, but banishing the stalling gremlin was certainly one of them.
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AncientOfDays
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/09/2014 at 18:04 |
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They're not all high-priority, I'll give you that, but I'm one of those people who gets a charge from crossing things off the list, so... I think I'll leave it as is.
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Lekker
> AncientOfDays
05/09/2014 at 18:05 |
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I'll look for the other post. I don't recall seeing it.
Enjoy those moments, they are why being a petrolhead is awesome.