another racing engine

I just repaired two spark plug holes via Time-serts, and installed four new spark plugs gapped at .040". I touched nothing else. Now the engine won't idle below 3200 rpms. I checked all of my vacuum lines and caps etc. and can't find any vacuum leaks. The idle screw is all the way out and it is up against the stop. I also checked my throttle cable and it isn't pinched or kinked or anything.
Could the fact that its been over 100 degrees outside have anything to do with it? Today registers right at 105. I also took it for a little spin down the street and goosed it once and it did seem really weak.
Can SOMEBODY HELP ME??
Maybe its because my mother in law is coming tomorrow and its just trying to skip town. I dunno.:pinch:

Post edited by: riverroad, at: 2007/08/15 19:01

It's not the heat.

Sure does sound like a vacuum leak. Make sure that not only are the vacuum hoses connected but also that you haven't inadvertently cracked one. Look for cracks that not only cross the hose but also for cracks along the length of the hose.

KZCSI

Thanks KZCSI, good tips. I hadn't thought about lengthwise cracks. Other than that, I've looked at all the rubber, and it does look good, still pliable, no visible cracks, although I do realize it's all original, and really needs to be replaced. My next plan of attack is to start it back up and start squirtin WD-40 at the carb bases etc., right after this beer...or two...:whistle:

You didn't recently synch the carbs by any chance??

I wonder if the plug wires are giving you a problem, have you shot some water on the pipes while it is running to see if you have a dead cyl, my thought is since the plugs have been in there a while and you pulled the wires you may have one or more that has a bad end on it

Did you nick a valve when you drilled the holes? Seen that happen before.

Would do a compression test.

Well, I didn't get a chance to mess with it last night. But I do know it was firing on all four. And yes, I made damn sure the valves were closed before I tapped the holes. It could use some new wires though, but they were all firing. I just couldn't get the idle down. It has to be a vacuum leak. I just haven't found it yet. I did pick up some vacuum port caps and some vacuum hose from a parts store yesterday. Maybe I can jump back on it tonight. But I also have to go fix my dads lawnmower tonight too, plus entertain my mother in law later.
Maybe someone can explain this thing's vacuum system to me? There's two vacuum lines running from #1 and #4 carb bases which are connected to a tee, which then runs to some doodad up by the coils. That doodad has two large tubes running down to the top of the valve cover. One of those larger hoses is cracked. Do I really need that doodad? Can I just bypass the doodad and plug the vacuum ports?

I believe the stuff you are talking about is the emissions equipment. THROW THAT STUFF AWAY! Plug the holes on the valve cover or just run a tube from one to the other. If you have the stock airbox, you'll probably have a hole to plug there too.

I'm not familiar with the lines running from the carbs.
You would probably have to cap off the openings where you remove those hoses too.

Thanks Mario, that's what I thought. I'll probably just run a hose from one side to the other for now, and plug the carb base ports. Maybe I can come up with some trick looking aluminum block off plates or something later.

kzzone.com/billet.html

The spark plug gap sounds too high try .032 or .035