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Re: Gettin' 'er Fired UP!

To: "Greg Hendrix" <gahendrix@att.net>,
Subject: Re: Gettin' 'er Fired UP!
From: Atwell Haines <carbuff@nac.net>
Date: Sun, 05 Mar 2000 14:41:44 -0500
At 12:58 PM 03/04/00 -0500, Greg Hendrix wrote:
>I just rebuilt my ZS carb on my '74 Spitfire and I'm up against at least a
>couple of odds.


If it's "odd" you're looking for, you've come to the right place...



>First, I don't have a clue where to start with settings. ...I'll be 
>doggoned if I can find where
>to set the idle screw, etc.


If your ZS carb has the adjustable needle, set it so that the needle 'base' 
is flush with the bottom of the air piston.  [Fully clockwise until a 
resistance is felt = full rich, fully lean (where the needle holder falls 
out of the air piston) is about 5 1/2 turns CCW from there.]

>Second, when I turn the engine over, I'm not convinced that I'm getting
>spark at the plugs. They looked pretty wet when I pulled them (after it
>wouldn't start).


What type of choke do you have?  (manual or water-actuated)  If the choke 
is allowing too much gas into the carb you will see it from a bore 
(drilling) just inboard and to the rear of the air piston.

If you continue to have too much gas in the combustion chambers (it _IS_ 
fresh gas I hope, not the stuff that's been in the tank for years) 
double-check the float level and needle cleanliness.

PS is the air cleaner installed?  If so verify that you got the gaskets 
right way 'round! (Can't cover up the port for the top of the diaphragm.)

Good luck, let us know how you progress.

Atwell Haines
'79 Spitfire (Which wouldn't start after restoration because the exhaust 
pipe was plugged up with rodent fuzz!)
Succasunna, NJ USA




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