[DeTomaso] More time to plan

Mon Jun 8 10:53:14 EDT 2009

I have been having fuel supply problems that I at first had attributed to
fuel line blockage in the gas tank. After several attempts at cleaning the
tank and replacing fuel lines and adding redundant fuel  filters I found no
evidence of any type of blockage. I have a mechanical in line fuel pressure
gauge that is giving a reading below what the Pantera manual calls for. I
have not been able to fun a fuel pressure and fuel volume test to confirm
the accuraacy of gauge. My pressure gauge seems to be reading below the
recommended level. I don't know if the gauge is defective or if it is
actually reading accurate numbers in which case my fuel pressure has dropped
by around one PSI. It originally was reading between 4.5 and 5.5 psi at
operating rpms. It know seems to be more like 3.5 psi. I also seem to be
having an issue with my mixture. My plugs are fouled with soot and carbon
which would be indicative of a too rich mixture. I have a manual choke so I
am planning on checking my mixture and  checking my choke adjustment. I know
insufficent igntion voltage or wrong temp plugs can also contribute to
fouled plugs. I replaced my auto lite plugs that were # 26, I number hotter
then stock  After finding out that I had a bad coil and some ignition
voltage issues that have since been rectified I an hoping to have the
problem isolated. I replaced the fouled auto lite plugs with motor
craft plugs (at the base line temp) My autollite plugs were also gapped at
the wrong gap settings for my MSD ignition setup. The recent posts say I
should have the gapped at between .045 and .05 for an MSD ignition ( I have
an MSD 6 AL module, a blaster II coil and an MSD distributor) I have not
pulled the old plugs since I installed the new plugs at the bigger gap and
the replaced coil. I also bought a new mini pneumatic wrench so pulling the
plus will now be allot easier. So I will see if I have made any progress.Any
tips or advice will  be welcome.
Boyd
On Mon, Jun 8, 2009 at 5:12 AM, Tomas Gunnarsson <guson at home.se> wrote:

> Regarding the electric fuel pump I installed one a few years ago. I had
> suspected poor fuel pressure so I installed a pressure gauge and found the
> pressure good at idle and decreasing to 1-2 psi at 5k or so rpm. I borrowed
> a used but low mileage pump from Thomas T and saw the same symptoms. I
> suspect that the excenter inside is somehow not properly set up. Rather than
> pulling the timing cover I installed an electric pump. It came with rubber
> mounts to isolate from noise but even so it was very noticeable from the
> drivers seat when I turned on the ignition. When I start the engine nothing
> can be heard of the pump. The fuel pressure is now stable through the rpm
> range. When I pull the engine I'll investigate if a mechanical pump can be
> installed again as I appreciate the simplicity of a mechanical pump but for
> now I'm happy with the electric pump. I have also eliminated what I think
> was vapor lock that would occur with extended idling/very slow stop and go
> driving. Of course with the slighly different fuel line routing with the
> electric pump I can't say for sure what did the trick. Theoretically an
> electric fuel pump should be almost immune to vapor lock as it simply keeps
> pumping at max capacity until the vapor bubble is gone.
>
> Tomas
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <MikeLDrew at aol.com>
> To: <boyd411 at gmail.com>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 4:18 AM
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] More time to plan
>
>
> > In a message dated 6/7/09 8 01 12, boyd411 at gmail.com writes:
> >
> >
> >> I fell off of my roof while cleaning the leaves out of the gutters on
> >> thursday evening. I was trying to get back from the roof to the ladder
> >> when
> >> the ladder collapsed. I wound up with a broken Tibea and I an lucky I
> >> didn't
> >> break my neck or back.
> >>
> >>>>Indeed!   I for one am very glad to hear that your injuries aren't more
> > serious--for they easily could have been.
> >
> > A pilot in my squadron had to fly back to his parent's house in Tennessee
> a
> > couple of months ago, because his father was cleaning the leaves out of
> the
> > gutters, and fell off the ladder and wound up in the hospital.   So, my
> > buddy flew home, and started taking on the job himself, and HE fell off
> the
> > same ladder, shattered his elbow, broke ribs, punctured a lung, was in
> the
> > hospital for awhile, had to have major reconstructive surgery, and will
> now have
> > limited mobility in his arm, and as a result, he will never be allowed to
> > fly an airplane again. :<(
> >
> > Moral of the story--just let the damn water fall where it wants to! :>)
> >>
> >> >Trying to remain the eternal
> >> optomist I am lucky not to be dead or crippled with a broken neck or
> back.
> >>
> >>>>Exactly right.   And like I said, I'm glad to hear it!
> >
> >
> >> Now I have more time to put into the car. And on that subject I am
> >> looking
> >> for opinions on roller rockers ann the advantages or disadvantages of
> >> going
> >> with an electrical fuel pump with a carb. Is there an advantage over a
> >> simple mechanical fuel pump ?
> >>
> >>>>Others will weigh in on the advantages of roller rockers.   With
> respect
> > to an electric fuel pump, I would offer that there is no real advantage
> on
> > a car with a simple carburetor, and they come with several disadvantages,
> > including annoying noise (most of them are VERY loud), and potential for
> > failure due to electrical issues.
> >
> > If your engine can use a mechanical pump (some can't for various reasons,
> > including fuel injected engines), then I'd stick with it.
> >
> > It ain't broke, don't fix it.
> >
> > Cheers!
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> >
> > **************
> > An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy
> > Steps!
> > (
> http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377042x1201454362/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&amp
> ;
> > bcd=JuneExcfooterNO62)
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