Son bought a 66 Mustang Coupe with a 79 Fairmont L6 200 last summer.
Budgetary issues stifled any potential work until now.
Decided to invest $1000 into the project while his funds are dedicated elsewhere.
Long term plans likely to include rebuilding the engine to improve CR and machine the head to accept a direct mount 32/26 carb. All the head and block machining and upgrades detailed in the FalconSix book. Long term will wait til he has funds to contribute.
Short-term - tune it up and improve operations so that it consistently starts, stays running and responsive throughout the “power curve.”
On the tentative list:
1. Upgrade Ignition System: HEI or tweaked DS11 from BIll, or a DUI.
2. Carberator Upgrade: 32/36 carb with adaptor.
3. Exhaust: VI or Clifford Header and appropriate exhaust.
I’m fairly certain we can do at least two of these for our $1k budget but likely not all three.
Now to the question - engine viability?
Little more background detail. We started the tune up process.
Changed the battery, old one flagged bad on the charger and wouldn’t hold a charge for more than a day or so of sitting cold.
Moved on to checking the plugs. Pulled the spark plugs to see how they looked.
1 - looked decent light tan, no build up
2 through 5. Various levels from all black to black with carbon build up. At least 2 were wet with oil.
6 - similar to 1 but a little darker tan.
From what I can gather 1 may be running a little lean, 2 through 5 are likely running rich, and 6 is running pretty good.
My thoughts are that it’s running lean on the ends, 1 and 6, and rich in the middle 2 through 5. Isn't this indicative of the poor flow from the log manifold?
Question #1. Will a better tuned carb and more consistent ignition help these issues? Is this a correct assumption?
Question #2. How big an issue is the oil on the 2 plugs, don’t remember which cylinders? Is there a way to establish if it’s rings, valve guides or something else?
Thanks for the help.
Budgetary issues stifled any potential work until now.
Decided to invest $1000 into the project while his funds are dedicated elsewhere.
Long term plans likely to include rebuilding the engine to improve CR and machine the head to accept a direct mount 32/26 carb. All the head and block machining and upgrades detailed in the FalconSix book. Long term will wait til he has funds to contribute.
Short-term - tune it up and improve operations so that it consistently starts, stays running and responsive throughout the “power curve.”
On the tentative list:
1. Upgrade Ignition System: HEI or tweaked DS11 from BIll, or a DUI.
2. Carberator Upgrade: 32/36 carb with adaptor.
3. Exhaust: VI or Clifford Header and appropriate exhaust.
I’m fairly certain we can do at least two of these for our $1k budget but likely not all three.
Now to the question - engine viability?
Little more background detail. We started the tune up process.
Changed the battery, old one flagged bad on the charger and wouldn’t hold a charge for more than a day or so of sitting cold.
Moved on to checking the plugs. Pulled the spark plugs to see how they looked.
1 - looked decent light tan, no build up
2 through 5. Various levels from all black to black with carbon build up. At least 2 were wet with oil.
6 - similar to 1 but a little darker tan.
From what I can gather 1 may be running a little lean, 2 through 5 are likely running rich, and 6 is running pretty good.
My thoughts are that it’s running lean on the ends, 1 and 6, and rich in the middle 2 through 5. Isn't this indicative of the poor flow from the log manifold?
Question #1. Will a better tuned carb and more consistent ignition help these issues? Is this a correct assumption?
Question #2. How big an issue is the oil on the 2 plugs, don’t remember which cylinders? Is there a way to establish if it’s rings, valve guides or something else?
Thanks for the help.