For the record 1974 SIII, 2.25, Zenith, Pertronix, pretty stock except for a GM alt, Ford Brake M/C. and a modern fuse box grafted in. Stored for 11 years (after some pretty high-quality (not restoration-quality, but really good) work was done on it), before I finished the wiring and got it back on the road about a month ago. Since then, nothing but putting out fires.
1. Still getting carbon fouling - badly (and VERY bad mileage). Every 3 hours driving - maybe less - I have to pull 'em and clean 'em. Tuned and tuned and retuned the newly rebuilt (proline kit) carb (float level included). My guess is something is wrong that requires another rebuild. Other symptoms include poor acceleration and overall lack of power (After adjusting the fuel level down a bit from right on (1.23") to little lean (1.26")). Might be too lean, but #2 cropped up and deviated me (plus it's been in the single digit temps outside - and no garage!). Was pretty good, just VERY rich before the float adjust. Running lean-seeming, still indicating rich, though (the carbon fouling - and the smelling like a refinery). Oh and just barely any idle with the screw turned all the way in. (haven't readjusted the idle mix after the float level, though - as I said, #2 and cold getting in the way).
2. Cannot get it to circulate coolant consistently. First time (last week after fixing a leak) it wouldn't move the fluid, a good burping got it going. Perfectly. Good circulation, holding a consistent 150. But this time - just today (after limping home about two miles at a time to avoid a severe overheat last nght) - spent most of 3 hours outside today in 4 degree (-1 windchill) checking the thermostat (boiling water test, opened around 190) pouring water right into the block (via 'stat housing) to try and avoid an air bubble and nothing, just sitting there overheating slowly. NO leak from the water pump. Yeah, I know it could be a rotor problem, but it seems unlikely that it would intermittent to the point of 100% working great one day, then not working at all. Yes, I know it's gotta be something like that, but it's certainly odd. Anyway, never got circ. And had starting problems (even pulled the plugs and cleaned 'em up, all dry and fully carboned.) My feet (3 hrs later) are just starting to feel fully thawed. (it does just occur to me I have an odd PO installed aux heater that used to be plumbed with and "H" tube, but I now have run inline with the stock heater - that could be something ...)
3. (when it was running) It definitely sounded and felt like it was not firing on all 4 when it was cold. Idling (even high) doesn't seem to get it to kick in. It doesn't "come to" until the first few seconds of driving it. Definitely not firing right somehow. Timing's been checked 10 or 12 times. Also, the valves sound pretty noisy (have not been adjusted). This could be related to #1 and/or #2. eg: Could be getting some fuel wash in the cylinder (and so the oil - thinning it). And I might be noticing it more when it's running hot from the no circ. condition. Too mny things going wrong to diagnose at this point. They sounded fine on the last I had it running tonight to see if I was getting circulation/cooling/heat.
This is my 3rd SIII, and the other one I drove the most was crazy reiable. Sure I had some intermittent electrical issues and some expected faults (snapped a half axle, weber started leaking once) but that was about it over 3 years. And I drove back and forth from Orono to North Conway several times, apparently without a thought of not making it. This current level of uncertainty and stress is taking its toll (combined with temps 30-degrees below average for this time of year and me doing all this in my back yard!). Maybe i'll ease up a little when it gets back up over 20. But right now Rover life sucks.
1. Still getting carbon fouling - badly (and VERY bad mileage). Every 3 hours driving - maybe less - I have to pull 'em and clean 'em. Tuned and tuned and retuned the newly rebuilt (proline kit) carb (float level included). My guess is something is wrong that requires another rebuild. Other symptoms include poor acceleration and overall lack of power (After adjusting the fuel level down a bit from right on (1.23") to little lean (1.26")). Might be too lean, but #2 cropped up and deviated me (plus it's been in the single digit temps outside - and no garage!). Was pretty good, just VERY rich before the float adjust. Running lean-seeming, still indicating rich, though (the carbon fouling - and the smelling like a refinery). Oh and just barely any idle with the screw turned all the way in. (haven't readjusted the idle mix after the float level, though - as I said, #2 and cold getting in the way).
2. Cannot get it to circulate coolant consistently. First time (last week after fixing a leak) it wouldn't move the fluid, a good burping got it going. Perfectly. Good circulation, holding a consistent 150. But this time - just today (after limping home about two miles at a time to avoid a severe overheat last nght) - spent most of 3 hours outside today in 4 degree (-1 windchill) checking the thermostat (boiling water test, opened around 190) pouring water right into the block (via 'stat housing) to try and avoid an air bubble and nothing, just sitting there overheating slowly. NO leak from the water pump. Yeah, I know it could be a rotor problem, but it seems unlikely that it would intermittent to the point of 100% working great one day, then not working at all. Yes, I know it's gotta be something like that, but it's certainly odd. Anyway, never got circ. And had starting problems (even pulled the plugs and cleaned 'em up, all dry and fully carboned.) My feet (3 hrs later) are just starting to feel fully thawed. (it does just occur to me I have an odd PO installed aux heater that used to be plumbed with and "H" tube, but I now have run inline with the stock heater - that could be something ...)
3. (when it was running) It definitely sounded and felt like it was not firing on all 4 when it was cold. Idling (even high) doesn't seem to get it to kick in. It doesn't "come to" until the first few seconds of driving it. Definitely not firing right somehow. Timing's been checked 10 or 12 times. Also, the valves sound pretty noisy (have not been adjusted). This could be related to #1 and/or #2. eg: Could be getting some fuel wash in the cylinder (and so the oil - thinning it). And I might be noticing it more when it's running hot from the no circ. condition. Too mny things going wrong to diagnose at this point. They sounded fine on the last I had it running tonight to see if I was getting circulation/cooling/heat.
This is my 3rd SIII, and the other one I drove the most was crazy reiable. Sure I had some intermittent electrical issues and some expected faults (snapped a half axle, weber started leaking once) but that was about it over 3 years. And I drove back and forth from Orono to North Conway several times, apparently without a thought of not making it. This current level of uncertainty and stress is taking its toll (combined with temps 30-degrees below average for this time of year and me doing all this in my back yard!). Maybe i'll ease up a little when it gets back up over 20. But right now Rover life sucks.
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