Posted By: KARLN
TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 10:18 PM
hey guys,
finally started the T/A after winter storage. She started quickly but stalls as soon as I put in drive. Seems to idle okay but reving the engine makes it sputter. I'm guessing water in the gas tank?
I did use stabilizer before storage but this was a brutally cold winter. Any suggestions?
Also what plug would you recommend if the engine has been modified with a stroker kit? Should the plug be a hotter or colder range from stock?
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 10:29 PM
check that the AP is providing a good/immediate squirt. Might need to flush the gas. I'd go with maybe 1 heat range colder. Alot depends on the CR (how much heat the plug will see)
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 10:42 PM
current plug is RN12YC so I should I try RN10YC?
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 10:46 PM
I'd stay where you are at, 10 would likely be too cold. 12 is very close. I'd get it going & monitor the plugs. what is your SCR? What is making you think you need to might need to change heat ranges? EDIT meant to say 1 range colder than what was in the heads OE which might have been a 13 or 14 rather than 1 range colder than what you have now especially since I did not know what you have in there. unless it's a killer motor 12 is very very close
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 11:02 PM
just removed a plug and it's black! Going to clean off the plugs and start the engine again to see if it solves the issue. I asked the machine shop to keep the compressor as close to stock as possible. They calculated it around 10:5.
Posted By: Locomotion
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 11:06 PM
Old gas remaining in the carbs may have gummed them up a bit. But either way, it wouldn't hurt to disassemble the carbs and squirt carb cleaner through all of the passages, including air bleeds. Gaskets could have shrunk also from dryness and/or temperature swings. If they look ok, perhaps retightening everything with the same gaskets, base as well, could help seal any possible air/fuel leaks. Otherwise, replace them and see if that helps.
Check diaphragms while your at it.
As mentioned, going a bit colder on plugs is a good idea. OEM 340 high compression plugs were N9Y.
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/19/14 11:54 PM
N9Y? I thought the stock plug was RN12Y? I should probably go a range colder.
Posted By: autoxcuda
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 01:11 AM
Karln, what octane gas do you run in it?
I think 9's might be too cold with modern pump gas (90-92 octane) and just cruising around town with the car.
But...need to read you plugs when you get the car running right and see what works for your particular setup.
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 01:17 AM
using 94 with octane boost. I think it's water in the fuel or carb issues that are causing my problem. I just cleaned the plugs and restarted and the engine is running rough and seems to flood at idle unless I keep the revs up. I hope I don't have to drain all the fuel and refill, I have almost a full tank.
Posted By: RapidRobert
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 01:27 AM
Hook a can of fresh gas to the fuel pump inlet & run that thru it & see if that straightens it out. Just me I would take off the carb top & see what you see. I like to lube bowl screws and spray the carb top gasket with WD40
Posted By: brads70
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 01:28 AM
Noticing your location I suggest Shell premium fuel as it contains no ethanol . Sunoco 94 (junk!)is full of ethanol. Sounds like you have a stuck float perhaps?
Posted By: screamindriver
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 01:36 AM
I usually mix up some stabil{or better yet startron} and dry-gas in a can of fuel and dump it in on top of the bad gas...No way to tell which gas powered item did'nt make it through the winter until that first run...Even with the stabilizer{sta-bil} in it some won't make it...
On a side noter I have a boat that sat 2 years with Startron in it and it fired right up like it was used yesterday..
STAR-TRON
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 02:12 AM
it was filled with Shell premium before storage as I heard the same about it not containing ethanol. I'm going to have my dad help me tomorrow and look down the carb to see what's happening. Ignition system is new so I doubt if it's ignition related. Plus it ran fine when I put her away for the winter.
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/20/14 08:42 PM
quick update. Looked down the center carb and spray seems to be good and atomized. Is there a procedure to adjust the choke and fast idle solenoid?
Could the fact that I've welded my heat riser in the full open position to give original appearance be contributing to this issue?
Posted By: KARLN
Re: TA runs like crap after first spring start up - 04/22/14 01:35 AM
it could have used some fine tuning as far as timing etc but otherwise the engine was running fine. Started easily and never flooded on start up. Being Easter, I didn't have much time to look at it but am narrowing it down to the center carb, choke setting or float.