Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Keep it on topic, it will make it easier to find what you need.
Post Reply
PNWSmoker

Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by PNWSmoker »

My car runs decent but won't idle. I've searched the forum and found thread describing the same problem and have tried a few of the suggested fixes but nothing has changed. When I put my hand over the carb the car idles up and runs fine. So that sounds like a vacuum leak right. I've tightened down the carb but that didn't help. So now I guess my next move will be to start replacing all of the hoses running off the carb unless someone wants to suggest something else. Below are some pictures of the carb in the car and pictures of 2 other carbs I got with the car. Maybe I should just rebuild one of these and start with a fresh carb.

This is the carb in the car. Anyone see anything funny here? The side of the carb says 32 adha 14 the H could be an F
Image

Image

Image

This is carb #2 that came with the pile of stuff when I bought the car. The side of this carb says 28 32 adha.
Image

Image

Image

This one is carb #3 that also came with the car. It's the same as the one on the car.
Image

Image

Image

Here's a pile of stuff I got with the car.
Image

And just for fun because everyone likes pictures here's the car with the mags I bought mounted up. I still need to swap the tires though.
Image

I'm open to hear eveyones thoughts on what to do with the carbs... Thanks
Last edited by PNWSmoker on Tue Jun 16, 2009 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
mbouse

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by mbouse »

with the ignition on but the car not running, grab that wire connected to the idle control solenoid and remove it.

touch the wire to the terminal again, then remove it. repeat.

do you hear clicking? if not, replace the idle control solenoid.

the easiest way to find vacuum hose leaks is to have the engine running, then spray starting fluid near or on the hose(s). if you hear a change in the idle speed, suspect a vacuum leak in that hose.
PNWSmoker

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by PNWSmoker »

mbouse wrote:with the ignition on but the car not running, grab that wire connected to the idle control solenoid and remove it.

touch the wire to the terminal again, then remove it. repeat.

do you hear clicking? if not, replace the idle control solenoid.

the easiest way to find vacuum hose leaks is to have the engine running, then spray starting fluid near or on the hose(s). if you hear a change in the idle speed, suspect a vacuum leak in that hose.
When I bought the car the guy knocked that wire off when it was runnung and it sparked big time. I'll do the above tonight though.

What do you think of the other carb? Should I stick with what I've got on the car?
mbouse

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by mbouse »

yeah, that wire should have 12 volts to it anytime the ignition switch is on. i would expect it to spark if it is touched to any ground.

it is the solenoid i wanna hear clicking. no click, no good.

and, i would suggest that a fair running carburetor on the car is less of a hassle to fix than a no-known-quality carburetor sitting on your workbench. that carb was taken off someone's car for a reason...could that reason be that it is defective, or in need of a rebuild?
PNWSmoker

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by PNWSmoker »

mbouse wrote:yeah, that wire should have 12 volts to it anytime the ignition switch is on. i would expect it to spark if it is touched to any ground.

it is the solenoid i wanna hear clicking. no click, no good.

and, i would suggest that a fair running carburetor on the car is less of a hassle to fix than a no-known-quality carburetor sitting on your workbench. that carb was taken off someone's car for a reason...could that reason be that it is defective, or in need of a rebuild?
I'll check for clicking this afternoon.
majicwrench

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by majicwrench »

Before you condem the soleniod, make sure there is 12v on that wire, If it "sparked bigtime" it likely blew the fuse.
My carb is really prone to pluggin the idle circuit, and every now and then i have to blow it out.
Keith
PNWSmoker

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by PNWSmoker »

When I remove the wire and touch it back to the terminal with the ingnition on it makes a clicking noise.

I gave the starter fluid a go and sprayed all around the carb / hoses but couldn't find the leak. :(
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by manoa matt »

The carb on the car (32ADFA) is a good carb. The other one, 28/32 ADHA will make a great anchor if you have a boat. Its hard to tell if everything is hooked up right because we can only see the hoses hooked up to the carb and not where they end up. However it looks like you have an intake manifold fitting that is "open" (first picture, lower right on the manifold)

I'd suggest getting a rebuild kit for the 32 ADFA and clean and rebuild the car using the best/least worn parts from the two carbs. Bayless has the best deal on the kit and you can even get the fast idle diaphram, which no other vendor carries.

Try capping the fitting on the manifold first then make sure your ignition system is in perfect working order before tweaking with the carb.

Send me an email and I'll send you the factory workbook and some diagramsfor the 32 ADFA. matt.scarton@gmail.com

I know a guy that might be interested in those maroon front seats if you want to sell them, or other maroon interior parts.
PNWSmoker

Re: Carbs and Tuning Suggestions Needed

Post by PNWSmoker »

manoa matt wrote:The carb on the car (32ADFA) is a good carb. The other one, 28/32 ADHA will make a great anchor if you have a boat. Its hard to tell if everything is hooked up right because we can only see the hoses hooked up to the carb and not where they end up. However it looks like you have an intake manifold fitting that is "open" (first picture, lower right on the manifold)

I'd suggest getting a rebuild kit for the 32 ADFA and clean and rebuild the car using the best/least worn parts from the two carbs. Bayless has the best deal on the kit and you can even get the fast idle diaphram, which no other vendor carries.

Try capping the fitting on the manifold first then make sure your ignition system is in perfect working order before tweaking with the carb.

Send me an email and I'll send you the factory workbook and some diagramsfor the 32 ADFA. matt.scarton@gmail.com

I know a guy that might be interested in those maroon front seats if you want to sell them, or other maroon interior parts.
What's the deal with the fast idle diaphram? Also I sent you an email. That lower right is capped but the one just to the left is actually a PVC fitting with a cap on it the PO stuck in there. I hit it with starting fluid but it didn't do anything. As I said in the email I've got a sinlge plain intake coming so I'm swapping it out.
Post Reply