It's the little things that get ya

[Normspeed]

I installed my carb heat shields yesterday. In the process I did a few other maintenance tasks under the hood. Test drove it and it ran fine.

Today I went out, turned on the ignition and the fuel pump switch. The pump was making an erratic noise, not the usual soft buzzing sound. The ammeter, with the motor off, was jumping from zero to -50 amps and it was in synch with the on and off fuel pump noise. Then it pegged at -50 and the pump shut off. Thought maybe the pump was failing, but I lifted the hood for a look-see, since I had been meddling under there.

What I saw was so simple it almost evaded me. Look at the position of the oil dipstick. Grounding out the hot wire from ignition to coil. Left a nice little pock mark in the dipstick too. I guess I moved it accidentally while I was puttering around.

Well, at least it was an easy fix.

[TodFitch]

I am surprised that the dip stick is that close to the coil. I guess that is one (maybe the only) advantage to having the coil mounted through the firewall.

[Normspeed]

I agree Tod. It's a short waiting to happen.

By the way, in normal use, there is some distance, unless someone accidentally pushes it into the coil.

Edited August 7, 2009 by Normspeed
add photo

[greg g]

Mine is;t as tall as the bottom of the oil filter.

[Don Coatney]

I also have a short stick. Did I say that right?

[greg g]

Your stick is twice as long as mine. Mine just plugs into the block so a lot of yours is wasted cause it isn't getting all the way in.

[claybill]

norm.....i like the heat shield idea....h-mmm.!

i had the same set-up with aircleaners... then switched after forum input...using the same bottom part of the li'l chromies i added fram # 3924.

it is a boltup, slide in swap. triples the air. yes it helps.

bill

[billwillard]

Norm, What is the hose in the center of your intake? Wipers?

Bill

[greg g]

Perhaps a bit of that stuff you dip tool handles in would alleviate the problem with any future inadvertant contact. And just think how much more comfortable it will be the next time you check your oil.

[Normspeed]

Good idea Greg. I have some of that somewhere. Bill, the vacuum hose is for my wolf whistle. My wipers are electric. Claybill, I'm using some washable filters from Jeg's/Speedway. Much like the K&N filters but way less expensive. They seem to flow plenty of air for the 218. Never a problem with sooty spark plugs or bad performance.

[Normspeed]

I solved the dipstick/coil conflict by loosening the coil bracket and sliding the coil up an inch or so. The heat shields are nice, and I rebuilt one of the spare carbs I bought, with a fresh NAPA kit. All seems well now, no more flooding or leaking down after a hot shut down.

Funny thing though, as a test, I took the car out for a hard run at mid day, in near-100 degree temps, then I parked it idling with the hood closed to simulate conditions at the local drive through eatery. After about ten minutes, the water temp was near the overheat mark, and the idle got rough. I opened the hood and sure enough, you could see the fuel vaporizing and percolating through the plastic fuel lines, all the way from the steel line near the radiator yoke, through the regulator and fuel block, and right to the carbs. Darned gasohol! I plan to re-route the line a bit to solve part of the problem, and avoid drive through burger joints for the rest of it.

[Grandadeo]

What no more In & Out Urge? Got your email, talk soon.

Lee

[Normspeed]

Seems we don't have In & Out's here in the sticks. How primitive!