[alfa] Spica injector problems

[Jon Pike <jhpike@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all..

Well, after getting over my radiator damage problem (shorten and secure 
your oil separator hoses!!)  I proceeded on to my next problem..

I have had a few things that lead me to think I might have some 
uneveness in my mixture from cylinder to cylinder.  I also seem to have 
a bit of trouble adjusting the mixture predictably when it gets as lean 
as it's supposed to.

All that led me to wanting to swap two injectors to see if my visual 
difference between the deposits moved or stayed the same.  I kinda 
doubted it would be the injector,  but hey, it's cheaper than getting 
the pump rebuilt. So, I pull out the two,  and think, well, why not open 
the questionable one..  which lead to me opening both of the two I 
pulled,  which led to me pulling the other two to check, clean with 
brake cleaner, etc..  (yes,  sometimes I go too far)

Anyway,  I was hoping that the rubber o-ring seal was not going to have 
a problem after being unsealed after 27 years.... and I did notice a 
lack of any tension as I put them back together..  I was wondering if 
taking them apart was a bad idea.

So, two Murphy strikes follow..  Big one,  as I tighten them back in,  
#3 has the sickening lack of tightening up that says "threads 
stripped"...  (what is it with me and aluminum threads on this car????) 
I had promised the wife a ride that evening,  it was fairly snug,  and 
with the fuel hose clamped as it is I didn't think it would go anywhere 
for 10 odd miles of driving around town.  So out we go,  but the car was 
tough to start..  idled very rough,  but ran better but not great.  Lots 
of backfiring.  Were my fears correct about opening the injectors?  My 
adventure with my radiator holes was suspect,  but after getting it 
soldered up and driving it back home, I didn't notice any unusual 
running.. only after my injector massaging.  So I don't think I have 
some warped head overheating problems affecting things.

Luckily I have another intake manifold,  and my new mechanic friend has 
a box of injectors he's willing to let me try out.. 
Anyone ever have to Helicoil a injector site on a Spica intake manifold?

Another related question,  I see numbers on the injectors..  and reading 
the Spica mantinence manual (from IAP) I see that when one gets a pump 
back from the factory, which apparentlly came with a set of injectors, 
one "was to match the number of the injector to place" for cylinder.  
Does this matter?  I just picked out a group that looked about the same 
at the nozzle end.

Jon
77 Spider
Irvine, CA
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided