Intersting turn of events today. I want to ask for the lists help in
diagnosing the engine problem. As most of you know I have recently restored
this car and have only had ( #2245 ) on the road for a shore time ( about
3000 miles ).
Last weekend I adjusted my valves on the drivers side. Previous week I
adjusted the valves on the passenger side. This weekend I wanted to do some
carb work to get ready for autox tomorrow. I went down the shop today and
we came to the conclusion the car was running way to rich. We started the
day with #80 jets in the secondaries, then #72 in the primaries. At the end
of the day we ended up with #70 in the secondaries and #65 in the primary.
I took the car out for a trip down to get some Mobile one oil, it was
running great. I then took it for a 3 mile jaunt down the freeway and back
to the shop to change the oil to Mobil one synth. I changed the oil and
left the shop for my 10 mile trip home.
Crusing down the freeway in 5th gear about half way home i started to hear
a popping noise coming from the engine or exhaust. The popping noise
sounded like a leak in the exhaust like a small backfire. It only happened
when i accelerated. Within the next 5 miles it got worse. The popping got
louder till it was a banging. The noise was not mechanical though.
Something is wrong with the combustion. I coasted for awhile and the motor
almost died but was quiet when I wasn't accelerating. The banging got
worste as I tried to give it gas, so much so that I was afraid of causing
more damage by driving it. I pulled over and called the auto club for a
tow.
I haven't had a chance to diagnose the issue yet, that will probably start
tomorrow. Two immediate things come to mind, burnt valve and some wierd
timing issue. I may have setup the car too lean or I may have had the
valves too tight. I will pull the plugs tomorrow and do a compression check
first thing.
Ahhh .. The pantera gods shone upon thee this day!!!
Thanks for everyone's input on diagnosing my engine issue. It turns out
that I either forgot or didn't tighten the adjustment nut on the rocker arm
enough and it vibrated it's way off the pushrod and decided to not open the
exhaust valve anymore. This meant that the intake valve opened and but no
more stuff could get in, and it had to get spit back into the intake,
causing big booms.
So moral of the story, make sure your rocker arm adjustment nuts are tight.
I feel like i've won the lottery!
