Made to run on Unleaded?

[spd_dmn]

I am currently running a blue 202 on Optimax 98 with 'valve saver' lead additive and it still pings under load. It also sounds very rough, (sort of pinging, but not as bad) all the time unless at idle or coasting. I recently had it tuned and the timing is spot on, neither retarded nor advanced. It sounds fine inside the cabin, but when the windows down going passed parked cars and such I can hear how crap it sounds. I have also been told by a few mates that it sounds crap.

I was wondering if retarding the timing would help. If so, how can I judge it when it's running fine at idle? I was also wondering how much it would cost to convert it to run on unleaded?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers, John.

[Goon]

Smooth idle or a ruff idle? "smooth stays in the one spot, ruff is up & down"

Whats your carby like?

[spd_dmn]

Smooth idle or a ruff idle? "smooth stays in the one spot, ruff is up & down"

Well, when I first start it in the mornings it's up and down. ie. from the exhaust it's like 'BLURT' ..... 'Blurt' ..... 'BLURT', and if I try to get rid of it by applying pressure to the accelerator at idle, it still 'blurts' but faster. When it's heated up, it's not as bad but still apparent. Also when cold it has a very loud squeaking sound from under the hood, and once warm the sound completely dissapears. Very Confused.

Whats your carby like?

What do you mean?

[synoptica]

I think he's asking what condition it's in tune wise - it should be the next thing you check out. If it's pinging on 98 it can't be too healthy.

[cunners3]

The loud squealing is most likely the fan belt slipping. They tend to slip a bit more when cold but once they warm up they are better. Try tightening it up a bit.

[spd_dmn]

The loud squealing is most likely the fan belt slipping. They tend to slip a bit more when cold but once they warm up they are better. Try tightening it up a bit.

Thanks mate, I'll do that.

As for the carby, I just checked it and it seems fine. I am however completely new to this and have no idea what I'm doing. I just ran it up and down the street which is a slight hill and my dad said he couldn't hear anything. He did say though that the auto choke should not stay on for as long as it does. It keeps the car at high revs when cold, even if I start driving it stays on. Sort of dangerous really.

It blows a bit of smoke at first start up, and dad said he could see a puff of smoke when it changed gears but he also said that was common with autos.

I dunno, I swear I can hear echoed pinging when under load. Maybe it's just me.

[Shifty1]

My auto doesnt blow smoke on gear change on the calais or my previous vk (202 carby) didnt do it either.

What doncition is the head gasket in?

[Goon]

spd_dmn : Well, when I first start it in the mornings it's up and down. ie. from the exhaust it's like 'BLURT' ..... 'Blurt' ..... 'BLURT', and if I try to get rid of it by applying pressure to the accelerator at idle, it still 'blurts' but faster. When it's heated up, it's not as bad but still apparent. Also when cold it has a very loud squeaking sound from under the hood, and once warm the sound completely dissapears. Very Confused.

First time i start my beast of the day, i try and only push the pedal down once then start, if it's a high idle first up that's the auto choke kicking in to heat the engine up. I let her high rev for under 1min then push the pedal again and she should idle at normal. It really depends though somedays you wont get her to start in a simple order it may take an extra min or so to warm up..

Do you have a manifold vacuum gauge?

[Matty081]

any idea if the motor has been rebuilt or is still original?
Apparently they started converting the heads for unleaded many many years ago

[Goon]

Well if the car has been convertered to unleaded then there would be no need for the lead addicitive...

Don't forget its an old car they dont run like todays cars

I wouldnt worry about what ya mates say they could be upset cause they own f**ds ... But you could also change the sound with a new different exhaust.

you got a more pictures of your engine? By the sounds of things looks like your engine hasnt had a total rebuild, but the paint job looks good

[bommodore]

the tapping could even be bearings a little warn

[gemini]

Is it running on al cyl's ? Might be the reason behind the blurting ( blurting? lol)

[Goon]

Is your car auto or manual?

May i also ask.. what part is that cansiter in the lower left corner of the picture?

No valves on your manifold? "it's just different to my engine + auto"

[atrail308]

blowing smoke on gear change is usually valve stem seals, not hard to do if you have a valve spring compressor you can get your hands on...
As for the rough idle and crap noise, if it goes away when its warm, as with the auto choke opperation, i wouldn't worry about it...

[atrail308]

and a quick reply to "goon", i believe the canister you are lookin at in the pic is a Z14 inline fuel filter...

[bommodore]

the inline fuel filter is what us poor people use obviously Goon hasnt seen one for a long time lol lol

[craigvk]

A set of changeover heads would set you back about $300-$400 not including fitting which is easy enough. It depends because your exhaust valves might be on the way out and might do with replacing. Also the head surface might need machining. Something that might cost a bit might turn into a lot more dough.

Unplug the vacuum advance and see if it still pings.

[spd_dmn]

Okay...

Do you have a manifold vacuum gauge?

Yes.

any idea if the motor has been rebuilt or is still original?

No rebuild to my knowledge. It's had 2 previous owners, an old lady and a guy who hardly ever drove it. Only has 160,000 on the clock, but the gears in the odometer have started to slip so no idea of the real number.

you got a more pictures of your engine?

This is the only other shot I have, as my sister lost the camera.

Is your car auto or manual?

It is an auto.

Unplug the vacuum advance and see if it still pings.

What is the vacuum advance?


There.

[craigvk]

Don't bother posting pictures. We all know what a motor looks like and this ain't a photo gallery.

There shold be a vacuum diaphragm connected to your distributor. Unplug the vacuum hose connected to it.

[spd_dmn]

Is it the hose in the middle of all the spark plug leads on the distributor? I'll try it in the morning, it's too dark too see now.

[craigvk]

There should be a roundish thing stuck on the side of the distributor with a hose off it.

[spd_dmn]

Oh, I see. Will try it tomorrow

[craigvk]

What happens when you run your motor on lead replacement fuel?

[spd_dmn]

I run it on unleaded with 'Valve Saver', I've never seen Lead Replacement Fuel. Though I have heard of it.

[Goon]

Yeah i'm trying out Nulon Lead Substittue with unlead fuel, sometimes i use 10% BP ethanol fuel. Though atm i'm trying prem unleaded and it's doing okay...

ps. you might want to insepct your exhaust for small holes if you havent had a look at it before or in a longtime.