Noise in engine on start up

[offshore]

The nosie is only there every once in a while when I first start the car up and it last for just a couple of seconds. When I changed the oil I added one qt of an oil additive for sticking lifters and valves. The counter guy at the auto parts store said it might help since the motor had been sitting for a couple of years. Not sure it that is the reason it sounds a lttle better or not.

I think I am doing something wrong when I check and adjust the timing and when I adjusted the carb. A older manual published in 1973 calls for the timing to be set at 10% BTDC while a new manual I just ordered calls for it at 0% TDC. I sat the idle at 850 hooked up the timing light and lined up the mark on the crank pulley with the bottom line (bottom line is 0%TDC) on the timing belt yellow cover. I also adjusted the air fuel mixture screw to one and half turns out. The cars sounds good but it takes few seconds longer before it starts and when I step on the gas the car wants to cut off unless I feather the gas pedal.

I need help...my car is 1971 Fiat spider 124 with a 1608 engine with a Weber carb.

[So Cal Mark]

set the timing at 10-12 btdc, adjust the mixture screw to obtain highest rpm. If the car has been sitting, the carb probably needs a new accelerator pump

[offshore]

Thank you for the help and I will make the adjustments tonight. I have looked all over the carb to try and identify what type of Weber carb I have. All I can see on the carb is the word Weber. Where can I find the marks for the type of Weber carb is on the car? And where is the best place to find the accelerator pump?

One more question. Once I adjust the mixture screw to obtain highest rpm do I set the idle back down to 850?

[So Cal Mark]

the number is on the base, facing the cam tower. The usual vendors carry the pump, cost should be about 10 bucks. After setting mixture to highest rpm, set the idle speed where you like it

[offshore]

I set the idle to 850 rpms and adjusted the mixture screw until the rpms reached the highest mark. I then adjusted the rpms back down to 850 and set the timing to 10 btdc. The car sounded great. However, when I took her out for a spin whenever I shifted gears and stepped on the gas the car wanted to cut out. I had to feather the gas pedal to get the car to go. So, my next step is to replace the accelerator pump. I will run that down today. Thanks for your help.

[offshore]

In my last post I decided to replace the accelerator pump. When I checked on the type of (new) carburetor the PO put on the car I found that he installed a 32/36 DFVA. When I did some researching I was not able to find this particular carburetor as a replacement for my 1971 fiat spider. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this carburetor if it’s good/bad or will work as a replacement for the original carburetor.

[offshore]

I replaced the accelerator pump. No change, it is still sputtering (I have to feather the gas pedal to get it to go) when I step on the gas. The last owner put a 32/36 DFVA carburetor on the car. Could that be the problem?

[So Cal Mark]

the carb could be jetted all wrong, but you might still have accelerator pump trouble. The pump discharge nozzle can get plugged or the o-ring that seals the nozzle can go bad allowing fuel to go around the outside of the nozzle rather than squirt into the venturi

[offshore]

Thanks, I will check it out. As for the jets......not a clue as to what size jets are in the carb or what they should be.