New to the group, Two days into ownership, Slow slow car...

[Shiparino]

First post here, as I only purchased a 75, on Saturday.  I owned a 69 1600, that I put a 2 liter motor into, way back in the 80's, but the cars I though were cool old cars then, are now ancient and in need of way more attention.  The car I purchased is pretty tired and will be a longer term project, but was hoping to get a little advice from the group to start.

 

Am I remembering this wrong or is it a problem?  I always thought of my 69 2002 as a peppy little car that handled well (especially after all the mods), but this car I picked up is very sluggish.  VERY.  The compression reads 130-135 across all four, so it's not great.  The car has no engine mods other than the slow electric fuel pump set up (maybe from Ireland.  It's a total dog and barely gets to highway speeds.  The car I remember from the 80's did about 9 seconds 0-60 and never felt slow, but I've since owned cars with 4x the HP, is it my memory and perspective, I don't think so.

 

So assuming this car is a dog, is 130-135 compression a rebuildable offense?  Are there any suggestions to help diagnose where any other problems might lie?  I'm starting from scratch hear and want to start tearing down the car, but figure I should understand what's going on with the engine, while I can still put around.

 

Looking forward to working on this and to your help.  I just sold a 63 Triumph that would have never been restored without the help of the forum.

 

Thanks!

[2002iii]

Your compression is a bit low, a leak down test will tell you where its escaping. Could just need a valve adjustment and tune up or it could be rings and/or valve seals.

 

I would start by pulling the spark plugs and looking at them. Then check timing and adjust the carburetor.

 

More information about the car and pictures will help too.

[Shiparino]

Thanks for the fast response.  I'll snap some pics later.  Trying (and failing) to concentrate on work at the moment.

 

Not smoking at all, so hopefully that's a good sign.  It's pretty well used and needs a ton of other stuff, paint, interior, would love to put in a 5 speed.  The funny thing on this is that he had Recaros and the rear seat re-covered and he had a full Ireland front suspension installed in the front, but the rest of the car is a mess.  Not where I would have started.  I'll need to replace a section of the floor and the spare tire well, the rest of the interior and paint.  Also needs the complete belt line trim.  And have to get rid of those crazy 5 MPH bumpers.  It will be a fun project and I'll be leaning heavy on this group I'm sure.

[Hans]

Do a tune -up. For now, check condition of points, dwell, cap and timing. Check , clean and gap plugs. You may need some new ignition parts.

[Mike Self]

Another thing to check besides what's been mentioned.  Have someone hold the accelerator pedal to the floor (engine off, of course) while you use a flashlight to gaze down the carburetor throat.  If you have a 32/36 Weber carb, both throttle plates should be fully open; if not, either there's carpet bunched up against the accelerator pedal, or the linkage needs adjustment.  

 

If you still have the original Solex carb, its secondary barrel is opened by vacuum, and the vacuum diaphragm may have ruptured, thus saddling you with a single, very small single barrel carb to get air and gas to the cylinders.   You'll either need to replace the diaphragm or convert to a Weber carb, which has a mechanical linkage to open the second barrel.

 

One more thing to check--along the same lines.  Disconnect the vacuum advance hose from the base of the carb, pull the distributor cap and rotor, the suck on the hose.  You should see the point plate move slightly.  If not, the vacuum advance portion of your ignition timing isn't working, and that will also affect performance.

 

mike

[Shiparino]

More great advise.  Thanks.  It does have a Solex and I didn't think about it only working through one barrel.  It sure feels like someone's got their hands around it's neck.  I had the Weber on my old car (so long ago), and was able to make quick highway speed passes.  

 

Lots of good stuff to try.

[JsnPpp]

Welcome back to 02 ownership! 

 

Great advice so far. Take a bunch of photos of everything and take us along the journey. We will provide guidance at every juncture (whether you asked for it or not) ?

 

~JasonP

[Shiparino]

If the compression issue ends up requiring head work, can a stock head be reworked to breath better?  Bigger valves?  Porting?  I like the idea of the side draft Webers, but have always heard it's overkill for a stock engine, which I'm sure is true.

 

Look at me getting ahead of myself.  In the 80's I had a good car, but no means.  Now I have the budget, but a crappy car.  ha

 

[tech71]

Does it rev up normally in neutral?  Check the fuel filter and tank pick up screen for clogging.

Fuel starvation could cause "sluggish"

Edited July 26, 2021 by tech71

[Shiparino]

Lots of ugly to knock off this one, but I'm looking forward to getting into it.  Also a pic of my 69, from the 80's.  A car that was sadly totaled by the next owner.

[Son of Marty]

Is that 2 fuel filters in a row in this picture?

 

[Shiparino]

No, that's the low pressure electric fuel pump setup.  https://www.iemotorsport.com/product/low-pressure-electric-fuel-pump/

 

[Son of Marty]

That pump is meant to mount at the tank end so it can push the fuel, it doesn't suck well, could be starving the car of fuel. Also any electric pump should be fitted with a inertia shut off switch in case of accident.

Edited July 27, 2021 by Son of Marty

[Shiparino]

Good to know.  Is there any compelling reason to use this setup over the old mechanical pump?

 

[Son of Marty]

No, Imo with a 2bbl the stock pump works well other than hot start problems we're all getting due to crappy fuel formulation these days.