It's alive! Um was, I need help with carb

[majicwrench]

Before you keep changing more and more parts you need to figure out what is going on. Get the basics right, any fiat manual, and many many posts here, will show you how to check cam timing, and you DO NOT check it with a timing light. If cam timing is correct, then you can set ignition timing, that you would do with a timing light. If car starts and runs, points, condensor, cap rotor, wires probably OK, I would not change them unless you know they have issues. Test test test.

[spence]

Keith, I have the Haynes manual, it sucks, not very clear. Shop manual, not much better. A Duc mechanic/guru put together a Duc manual, easy to read, great photos. I worked all over that bike.

I will attempt the cam timing when I get off, maybe the Haynes and here will get me where I need to be.
The plug wires looked pretty old, spark plugs as well, and I'm not paying all that shipping for just a few parts, replace it all as I don't know when replaced last. I'm giving this car one last shot, the kid helping me said he'd take it off my hands if I couldn't get it running, get my money back, move on.

[spence]

While I'm at it, where are the rear fuel filters? I have the trunk open, mat removed, staring at the tank. By the way, my trunk is impeccable, looks like a brand new car back here.

Edit: I looked in the tank, looks good, little rust, non floating, fluid looked clear.
What is this mounted in the spare well?

[cski]

It is, I believe, the valve that regulates air flow into the gas tank.

I could use one of those, all I found was some plastic crumbles in my Spider...although the car doesn't seem to miss it.

[spence]

While I wait on the new parts, I measured voltage to the electric choke, good. I was able to get it running, pulled the throttle knob to 2500rpm, was going to take for a spin around the block. It died after a minute, will not fire up, putters, tries to, but doesn't. And that old issue where it just clicks every other turn has returned. Last time, mechanic said it was a loose ignition wire, I can jiggle, clears up. Looked at harness, I don't see any issues or bad contacts. I have got to get this running in the next two weeks, possible new job. Or I'm selling it to a local guy, out $500, better than nothing. Also just noticed the ball linkage popped out, no tension to hold it. The clip is missing that fits over the housing.

EDIT: got her cranked, held it to 3000rpm, first 30 seconds was fine, then the tach started jumping all over, missing, let off, she dove straight down.

[So Cal Mark]

if the tach is jumping around, suspect an issue with the points or condensor

[spence]

New points should be here tomorrow. It was puttering like it was starved for fuel, which if fire is intermittent, same symptom I assume? Just trying to rule out fuel issue, guess its coming down to fire. Tank looked really clean, as does the filter. There's two more in the rear? Where?

[mdrburchette]

Also just noticed the ball linkage popped out, no tension to hold it. The clip is missing that fits over the housing.

What part are you talking about? Linkage on the carb?

[spence]

Yes, its a sleeved clip. Workshop manual calls it clip. Holds the ball into the socket of the linkage$

[seabeelt]

Ummm Have you checked the idle solenoid??

[spence]

Not to be ignorant, but where is that? I looked through my manual, I gathered it's on the carb? My carb is new EMPI 32/36 w/electric choke. If not, could you post a picture so I can ID it?

[mdrburchette]

I may have one of those barrel clips. I lost one in the yard while changing the return spring on my carb setup and had to go with a backup. I'll be trying out my brand new, big fat magnet to see if I can find that little sucker.

[spence]

Thanks, Mark is looking for one as well.

UPDATE: Changed plugs, wires and points. Fires right up, ran on it's on for about 5 mins, till I gassed it, then it wanted the pedal thereafter. I can crank it easier, guy is suppose to help me adjust timing this week.

NEW: there's a top rattle, on the right/pass valve area, shot some video, worries me, this is new, just noticed today. Sounds like when a pot is boilng with the lid on, chattering from the pressure. Also, a horrible shutter around1550rpm-2000rpm, goes away, does appear when decelerating, only on acceleration. Attached video:
72 Spider rattle- http://vimeo.com/16870004

[mdrburchette]

Sounds like the aux shaft out of time. I wouldn't run it any more until you can get that timing cover off and set your timing properly. Here's a pic of my engine so you can see how things should be lined up. The crank on mine isn't on the TDC mark in this pic:

[spence]

that's a cool diagram, thanks. Do you set by hand, then put belts back on? I hate to sound ignorant, the books never really clear.