Spark plug and carburetor questions

Neu · Post by **Neu** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:43 pm

nottheactress wrote:
If you're getting 20mpg in highway driving, you're at least 5mpg shy of what you should be getting. If that's city driving, it's fairly close to right.
Hmm... I have to admit I had higher expectations than that. My car--I call it the Inconvenience, which is actually supposed to be a literary reference and not a mention of how much trouble it causes me--is actually the first car I've ever owned by myself. In the past I've shared cars with friends and haven't been quite so strict with my MPG. These cars (first one possibly a Terc, the second a Subaru wagon) were stick shifts and I guess I just didn't realize how much of a difference that can make in fuel economy. I think it might be time to sit down with a calculator and figure out how cost effective a new carb would be. And I am going to get brave and put those spark plugs in... soon.

Thanks so much for all the great advice and comments.

the problem with automatics is the smaller the engine, the more of the power that auto is stealing and isn't getting to the ground.

I think on my 2.2l honda engine with my automatic honda said it's 25% of the engine power is put to the tranny, compared to 5-10% with a stick, i got 25mpg with that car.

a 1.5l with an auto? well it'd be quite a bit.

nottheactress · Post by **nottheactress** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:31 pm

This car is definitely turning out to be a learning experience. The problem is that I really prefer to drive a stick in Australia, with the driver's seat on the right, rather than here in Canada with the it on the left. I'm just more comfortable; I think it must have something to do with the whole left brain/ right brain thing. Still, if a stick is that much more efficient, I'd be more inclined to get one next time around. Maybe I should consider moving overseas...

Had another thought on the gas mileage thing:

Would having/ not having a catalytic converter make a difference? Apparently The Inconvenience doesn't have one, and I didn't think this mattered. But--if it does effect how fuel is burnt...? I really just don't know. Should I get a catalytic converter installed?

Neu · Post by **Neu** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:00 pm

not having a cat should improve mileage...less resistance etc.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:20 am

The auto I have is getting 18mpg.
Needs- New dizzy and proper timing. Maybe even a new carb. New dizzy is sitting in the garage. Needs new wheel bearings.

If it stays obnoxious I'll drop in one of my manuals.

nottheactress · Post by **nottheactress** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:10 am

I'm having yet another moment of wishing that my Catholic all-girls high school had an auto shop class...

What the heck is a 'dizzy'?

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:21 am

The "dizzy" is the sometimes shocking sibling to the "tranny," neither of which is related to our Oz members' "barbies," I think.

Which order taught there?
Tom M.
P.S. The former is the "distributor" and the latter is the "transmission."

nottheactress · Post by **nottheactress** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:03 am

By the time I was at that school, there weren't any more nuns--it was one of Ontario's 'separate' schools. A pretty ordinary drag-you-to-mass-in-the-gym and force-you-to-attend-utterly-meaningless-religion-classes type of thing (and no I didn't keep my kilt).

ps. Was quoted CDN$500 for a refurbed carb by my mechanic today... but somehow the love for my Terc doesn't die.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:03 am

Dunno if this would be of help, but here is where I got Goldie's carby* two years ago (link to exact page): http://www.nationalcarburetors.com/look ... num=TOY156
Maybe it has a Canadian location as well?
Maybe you could buy it and have the tech install it?

It is now USD 180. Worth a look - maybe even with any possible Candian Customs fees? On the latter, I'd check with that office before ordering, to make sure there are no weird import regs on a carb.
I've been satisfied; I did have a problem with it last year, in that somethng in the accelerator pump clogged. National has a lifetime warranty, so it was fixed free (save for postage down to FL).

If you go this route...
1. Check this: viewtopic.php?t=2173&highlight=national and advise the tech.
2. As long as the carb is off, just renew all of the vac lines - plenty of space now, and it will give you a sense of involvement.
Tom M.
*= carburetor - this is a frequent reference by our OZ members - couldn't resist...

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:11 am

Main thing with the gas mileage is probably to change out the plugs...wires...cap and rotor....and maybe set the timing according to ping (road time it). Check tire pressures. Make sure brakes aren't dragging any.

Easiest fix for the carb might be a new inlet valve and set the float level so the gas level is slightly low. Be sure the choke is free.

Check those pesky vac lines?

Mac · Post by **Mac** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:09 am

nottheactress wrote:I'm having yet another moment of wishing that my Catholic all-girls high school had an auto shop class...

What the heck is a 'dizzy'?

we have one of those in BC?

no shop class isn't a big deal, keep an eye on the Princess Auto catalogs for sales on tools (sometimes they even sell a small tool box with an assortment of tools, good for getting started), crappy tire (the maximum line is good) and sears/craftsman and then commandeer your parents garage.