I just had the head decked because it overheated. The machine shop took so much off that I had to put a shim in. I've adjusted the valves and it runs. It has been idling erratically and running rough. I am getting poor gas miliage. It would not start up after it warmed up, so I replaced both the fuel filters. Now it idles all crazy like. sometimes it will idle at almost 3000 RPMs and sometimes it will idle at almost 500 RPMs. I tried to adjust it, but it doesn't make a difference. I feel like I am chasing the symptoms and missing the problem. With the gas prices going up, I need my car to run mint.


On another note does anyone know where I can get a cheap muffler w/ pipe assembly? The coppers are starting to notice the noise.

 

Did you bleed the air out of the coolant system? There is a bleeder valve that you open on the thermostat housing to allow air to escape. Then you fill up the radiator, close the valve when a steady stream of coolant comes out, then top off the radiator.

Google this term:

zUpXgAJ1gjU

The first hit is a YouTube video showing how to do this properly.

 

Double check for vac leaks. Sounds like you have a DX or LX model with a carb? Based upon this statement "so I replaced both the fuel filters"....So be sure the choke is "releasing". Then of course I have to ask about the tune up stuff-cap, rotor, plugs, ect...

 

That's right, it is a LX w/ carb. I replaced the plugs. I didn't do anything with the distributer. The cap gasket is non existant, so I put some form-a-gasket in it's place.

I will check for air in the cooling system today and let you know what I find.

As for the vac leaks, this car has like 50 vac hoses on it. Where should I start?

 

50...that is an understament....yes I know-got two carb'd in the driveway, other two are injected. Just an FYI-these will idle near 2500 when cold. Choke should open and unload when warm and drop to the 650-800 range. Is yours "hunting"/"bouncing" around, or holds steady at those rpm's. Sticking linkages, fast idle unloader? There is a manual you can download-see the DIY section for manuals.

Anyway, Vac Lines-a good flashlight and time for most of the small ones. Be sure the intake is sealed to the head-carb cleaner.

 

That's the thing, sometimes it hunts, sometimes it's high, even when warm, and sometimes it's barely running.

I bled the cooling system, it didn't have any air in it. So i tried messing with the distributer. That made it run a little better, but it is still idling all crazy like. I'll start in with the vac hoses tomorrow. This car ran like a raped date before it over heated and now that's it's been fixed it's just problem after problem.