Hello list. Happy New Year. I could use some advice. Sorry to make this so
long, but I have to describe all the symtoms to get the best collective
wisdom.
Two months ago, I parked my 72 Spit in the garage. All was well. Every week
or so I would start it up just to keep the oil circulating and let it idle
for 5 minutes or so. Everything seemed fine. Took it for a brief spin for a
couple miles just to get it up to running tempeature. Still fine. Two weeks
ago I started it and the temp guage went immediately up to 3/4 even though
the engine was cold and in a couple minutes was pushing the red mark.
However, the radiator was cold as if the thermostat had not opened. More
importantly, there was significant white smoke out of the exhaust that did
not seem to decrease as the engine warmed up and it was periodically
misfiring.
I had just recently replaced the thermostat, but I pulled it out anyway. Even
though the temp gauge read high, I don't think the engine was really hot.
With the thermostat out, the coolant seemed to circulate fine and the gauge
remained around 7/8.
I took the car out and could only make it about six blocks because of lack of
power, serious misfiring, and the temp gauge moving back to the red mark.
Nursed it back home. I am a relatively (compared to this list) a novice
mechanic, but I checked all connections, gapped the plugs, point gap, dwell,
and timing are all to spec. Still getting white smoke, some misfiring at idle
and higher RPM, and the temp guage reading 3/4 even when the engine is cold
and going up from there.
I know the white exhaust is moisture (hopefully not coolant). There is no
indication of oil in the coolant or pressure back into the overflow bottle. I
don't see any foam or bubbles on the dipstick indicating coolant in the oil.
The engine was rebuilt by an accomplished mechanic PO less than 1,000 miles
ago.
Questions. 1) Could the temp reading just be a transmitter gone bad? Still
wouldn't have any other effect right?
2) Even after the rebuild, there has always been a tapping type sound which I
think is a vacuum leak. It has never really caused any ill effects before.
Could this (during cooler weather) let moisture into the system causing the
white smoke?
3) Other info that may affect your (hopefully awaited) answer. The rebuild is
a 1500cc block and has a 175 CD2 carb (water choke from a TR 7 I understand),
a centrifical advance distributer (Delco- Remy) (no vacuum or retard unit).
Yes, I know the carb is weird, but I rebuilt it, plugged up the bi- pass
valve, and it has been doing just fine until now. The dashpot oil has been
suddenly seeming to disappear, but I'll be darned if I can find that O-ring
in this carb that everyone seems to mention. Does not show up on any diagram
of a carb that I have seen.
So enough already. Any of your thoughts or ideas greatly appreciated.
Jeff
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