I drove my sweet, sweet ride to San Diego (Lucadia) yesterday morning at 7:00 AM.

#1 It was a 225 mile round trip. I used about 1/3 a tank of 95 octane.

#2 I have noticed that if I let the key sit in the "ON" position before I hit the starter she fires right up.

#3 Sometimes at long stoplights I get a little black smoke.

Question: Could this be telling me the car is running super lean? Could my fuel pump be low on preshure? Or am I just having way too much fun?

Yes, I am seriously sunburned.

Oh ya, thank you for all the help and encouragement. Last weekends valve adjustment found a couple loose ones. All else is doing well.

 

1. You went 225 miles on a 1/3 of a tank? Either you have some sort of rare factory Le Mans endurance tank or your gas gauge or tripmeter is off.

2. Are you saying it doesn't fire right up when you don't let the key sit in position #2? If so, does and crank and crank or does nothing happen at all?

3. Black smoke? That would point to rich rather than lean, but can you smell the smoke? As in does it smell like oil or a rich mixture? I've read that you've had your intake all apart, if you haven't I'd get a professional to check your CO and your fuel pressure and make sure everything's OK.

 

Droops, this is a heck of a puzzle isn't it?

Increadable gas milage...Mostly freeway at 75 in 5th so may not be too off. (about 40 miles of street driving from Oceanside thru Carlsbad to Lucadia and back has to be to best beach cruise shy of where you are at.

It's the hard start and the black smoke that really confuse me. It cranks very well with my Interstate battery, but it acts (to my unknowing head) like it isn't getting fuel at start up yet the smoke says rich.

Peter Z's shop told me the cap on the A/F mixture thingy has never been touched so it may be way off. Who knows? It goes down the road like a banchee, Idles very smooth, doesn't burn oil, is perty, so I guess I shouldn't frett.

It's the first pro visit in 20 years for the car so I am nervous for her. (now at 71,800 miles)

 

Well I'd want to verify the mixture since it's been so long and you've had a bunch of stuff apart. You should do this, anything you do till then is just guesswork. Also, if you have a fuel pressure gauge, you can watch it while someone else cranks to see if the starting problem is fuel pressure related or not, and of course you can also verify correct pressure while running, and see if pressure drops too rapidly after shutdown (IE problem w/ the check valve).

 

Thanks Chris, the car is so much more drive-able thn a year ago but yes, she des need a profeshional shop. I'm gonna check into the fuel preshure gauge. And I'll get her into the shop for the mixture.

I got a fiew more (15) king palm trees and a sterio system for the front yard today. I'm listening to margaritaville with my feet up surrounded by now over 100 palms on my front porch. The sun is down, the temp is down, and I my onl care in the world is my AFR. lol

 

+1 on Rich A/F

That is very interesting on the start up, Going to try that. But I always push clutch in on my start ups.

That MPG is outstanding!

 

On my recent trip to Ohio with my chipped & fuel position #2 (+6%), I got 26mpg pushing 75-80mph target speed in my top-dropped '84 Cab, 80+ degree temps. I got 27 when I first bought the car (pre-Ethanol) on the ride home from Michigan, and I wasn't exactly babying it, but the temps were cooler too.

My fuel gauge is top-heavy, drops quicker when closer to low-fuel. Stays "full" longer than it should, I think. I always use the trip odo anyway. Around town, it's just a tick over 20mpg usually.

 

And not really believable imo. I've only checked mine once (over the course of a full tank of gas, and not relying upon the guages), interstate driving averaging 80-90 mph and got right at 27 mpg (VERY good imo). Of course, one could do a "bit" better, but imo, "no way, no how" could you possibly go 675 miles on a tankful. Do an accurate test sometime when you get a chance Douglas, and don't rely upon the gauges. I'm sure it'll be good...just not THAT good

Keith
'88 CE coupe

 

Yeap,..too good to be true....

Best,

Doyle

 

Doyle, I thought you ment my porch, not my porsche when I first read your reply.

I totally agree on the milage thing. Fred you are probebly right on on the gauge being top heavy.

 

How's the O2 sensor ? Also, check your idle switch for continuity and adjustment.

 

My gauge is 'top heavy' as well. I can do a good 300mi on the first half....no so much with the second half.

 

I replaced the O2 sensor when I removed the cat, say 9 months ago. Checked the idle switch when I did the manifold....this may be worth looking into though. I know it works, but it may not be set correctly. I'll have to play with it. I replaced the WOT switch thinking it was the idle switch(I won't say who fooled me into that sale, not a site sponsor or any of our friends here, just very well known...)

Thanks guys