Looking for a garage to work on Miss Zora

[misszora]

Yes. When I brought her in - I felt she wasn't running right - I mentioned she smelled and felt really hot. After they checked her out, they said she was running lean. If that's true, was she running that way since my 3000 mile tune-up pre-Burning Man? She was running great beforehand.

[Amskeptic]

Well that's a relief. It was sudden though and just that one.
And she isn't running very well - less power than this summer. But I had solid power before the 3000 mile tune-up before driving to Burning Man. huh.

I fricken refuse to accept that anything in regards to pumping efficiency is the cause of your issues.
Not running well?
* valve adjustment
* points/condensor (if you are using them) gap to .016"
* timing 3,200 rpm 28* BTDC no hoses (check advance curve according to Bentley
vacuum advance must be greater than 34-368 BTDC when you put the hose back on
*fuel pump can show correct pressure 28 hose on regulator 36 hose off regulator, yet still be sub-standard, perform volume test with clean filter
*vacuum leak check! hoses are pesky! Check each hose at both ends (by taking them off!) and pinch them mildly. If you see cracks, replace with correct size hose. Distributor advance/EEC hoses are 4mm, and the pressure regulator/decel valve hoses are 4.5mm or something.
Look very carefully at the breather and auxiliary air regulator nipples in the s-boot. They must be inserted all the way in so the shoulders on the nipples are inside the s-boot grooves.

*now adjust fuel mixture

So, anyway, what is the current compression score?
Colin

[misszora]

I don't have a garage - it's raining now. :(
Waiting for the compression check. Will list off your items above over the phone to the mechanic!

[tristessa]

...any news?

[misszora]

Essentially no change.
#1 - 110
#2 - 125
#3 - 120
#4 - 140

Leakdown on cylinder #1: 30% (intake at crankcase)

I don't know what I'm going to do at this point.

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Assuming you did everything CK recommended, esp check the air/fuel ratio using Colins method, keep a close eye on the valve clearances (esp #1....like every 500 miles or so until/unless you get a comfort level) and drive it! If your valves are not receding (symptom of tightening valve clearance) would focus on other things re: driveablility issues.

[misszora]

Haven't done the last list of suggested items yet. I need an extra set of experienced eyes and hands to assist me with that.

[TrollFromDownBelow]

Colin quote "I fricken refuse to accept that anything in regards to pumping efficiency is the cause of your issues.
Not running well?
* valve adjustment
* points/condensor (if you are using them) gap to .016"
* timing 3,200 rpm 28* BTDC no hoses (check advance curve according to Bentley
vacuum advance must be greater than 34-368 BTDC when you put the hose back on
*fuel pump can show correct pressure 28 hose on regulator 36 hose off regulator, yet still be sub-standard, perform volume test with clean filter
*vacuum leak check! hoses are pesky! Check each hose at both ends (by taking them off!) and pinch them mildly. If you see cracks, replace with correct size hose. Distributor advance/EEC hoses are 4mm, and the pressure regulator/decel valve hoses are 4.5mm or something.
Look very carefully at the breather and auxiliary air regulator nipples in the s-boot. They must be inserted all the way in so the shoulders on the nipples are inside the s-boot grooves.

*now adjust fuel mixture"

If I remember correctly, you rebuilt your own engine, right? Only one on Colin's list would need an extra set of hands is checking fuel pressure while the engine is under load....YOU CAN and are able to do the rest. :). If you don't have a tac/dwell meter and a timing light, get them...they aren't that expensive (both stay in my bus all the time). One trick I learned last time I set my valves is using .007 as a no go gauge....all this time i thought i was setting correctly at .006; using .007 as no go taught me i was setting too loose. I did notice a difference in engine performance when setting them closer to .006.

An easy way to check for vacuum leaks is to use a vacuum gauge; borrow one of these - IRR vaccuum s/be between 18-21" and with a newer engine would expect it to be close to 20"

[Amskeptic]

Leakdown on cylinder #1: 30% (intake at crankcase)

I don't know what I'm going to do at this point.

Intake at crankcase?? Were you there? Did they show you? That makes NOOOO sense to me.

DRIVE IT! ENJOY! And as Troll suggested, keep an eye on it only insofar as valve adjustment changes and compression readings.

Are you most concerned at this point about driveability issues? Honesty to goodness, your compression readings are absolutely healthy enough to give you a nicely running engine. If your engine is not feeling well, and you took it to a mechanic, I wonder if they are seizing on this to absolve themselves of not being able to find the problem. Just wonderin'
Colin

[misszora]

No confidence in my abilities right now. I'm also very, very, very broke. I would prefer to have someone of substantially more experience (and tools!) working with me.

She runs weird. Sluggish but not cutting out. And she just doesn't sound right...and that's as far as I can describe it. I can't put my finger on it. My concern is doing damage if I don't know what's really going on.

[Amskeptic]

No confidence in my abilities right now. I'm also very, very, very broke. I would prefer to have someone of substantially more experience (and tools!) working with me.

She runs weird. Sluggish but not cutting out. And she just doesn't sound right...and that's as far as I can describe it. I can't put my finger on it. My concern is doing damage if I don't know what's really going on.

We have friends. Call them. Gypsie? tristessa? referrals from them?
Friends. Fancypants? Heck, whatever happened to IFBwax?
I'd be there in an instant if you promised a pizza . . .
Colin

[tristessa]

I'd drop a line to Gypsie -- my experience with diagnosing and tuning late Bus fuel injection is pretty much nonexistent. Plus if he were doing a weekend daytime visit to your place, we could bring beer & pizza over there and watch him work. =D

[misszora]

Sounds like my kinda work party!!!!

[Amskeptic]

Sounds like my kinda work party!!!!

Tell me what time, and I will make myself available for a phone consult.
Then, you can get me a pizza (and beer!) when I get to Portland.
Colin

[misszora]

Found a garage! Borrowed a Costco carport and set it up in my back parking lot. Works great.
Got the engine out with big time help from Hal and Michael (Tristessa and Kubelwagon). I'm starting a new topic on the progress.