Before shipping the 120 to me here in VA, Dad filled it up at an ethanol-free station in NY (not a large chain station) and thought he got gas with water in it.

Yesterday, I hand pumped the gas out of the tank, and watched each gallon jug-full for any separation - never saw any. In fact, the last half gallon to come out of the bottom of the tank is still in the glass jug (since early yesterday afternoon), and still no signs of any separation.

Today, I've put 5 gallons of fresh high octane gas in, along with some fuel drier, and started the car. It started a bit rough and smoky, then idled rather smoothly. Also ran smoothly at higher RPM, but was rough when revving the throttle up and down from idle to about 3K-3.5K. Also had some backfires/"pops" through the carbs when revving up and down.

Any ideas to help smooth out the running?

Thanks!

 

"Might" be an old fashioned ignition misfire. Plugs, plug wires....that sort of thing





Pops/backfires thru the carbs/intake tracts suggests a fueling issue/fuel delivery problem....like a clogged filter, perhaps.

Cheers
DD

 

By the way, as I think about this more, I probably misspoke. It's not a "BANG!" misfire through the carb, more like air chuffing back out through the carb. If that makes sense.

I've been looking for fuel filter - haven't found it yet, but will keep looking.

I'm also planning on checking out all the ignition (cap, rotor, plugs, wires, etc.) parts for anything obvious. Wires are pretty new I believe.

Also has a Pertronix unit in the distributor - do they fail catastrophically, or could it be failing slowly, causing this kind of problem?

Thanks again!

 

The older generation units did, I was left stranded on a classic wet and stormy night. I've heard that the gen II and III are much better. Are you using their coil as well, or OEM?

 

Ummmmm..... I think OEM, but will have to look to be sure. Sorry, not much of an answer.

Will post more definitive reply when I'm home and can answer with more certainty.

Thanks!

 

Check oil in carbs, tune of carbs. Might check if carbs have residue and are not sliding as they should.

 

Jagfixer - thanks, I'll check those things.

Mikey - coil installed appears to be a Lucas Sport coil (gold can).

I'll also be checking dist cap for proper seating of the wires (they are Magnacor, vice OEM-type) and any cracks or spark delivery problems.

Thanks again.

 

Thanks, not familiar with that unit. The Pertronix coil is not well regarded on the other car marque I fool around with.

 

I won't bore with the details, but I got DMV work done yesterday and drove it as "official" owner for the first time last night. The car ran pretty well, the only real issue was that at low rpms/speeds (slow cruise up 25mph Main St, making turns, etc.) it wanted to stall out without the starting carb turned on (this one is controlled via manual switch vice thermostatic switch). I'm going to turn up the idle screws a bit and see if that helps. In the meantime, I can drive it, just have to manage the starting carb to prevent stalling.

No fuel/ignition issues to speak of.... That's a good thing.

Thanks.