From: ravalent@mothra.syr.EDU (Bob Valentine)
Subject: Re: Recommendations on Carb Rebuild?
Organization: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 16:35:19 EST

In article <1992Dec15.020447.19638@u.washington.edu> olsenc@stein.u.washington.edu (Clint Olsen) writes:
>Hello:

[stuff deleted]

>The only problem now is that he mentioned that it was running crappy
>when it was cold because the carb is about ready for a rebuild.  The
>diagnostic checker said that the Computer is setting the dwell at 3 
>degrees (I thought dwell is measured in impedance, eg. ohms?).  Anyway,
>he said that means that it's running really lean because everything
>is getting clogged up inside.  He also said that some choke dashpot
>thingy on the left side of the carb is totally inoperable as well.
>
>Olds sells the kits to fix the carbs and I also found a Haynes manual for
>my car.  The mechanic said that it wouldn't be a good idea for me to rebuild
>it because I didn't have the proper equipment.  He said that parts of the
>carb are electronically controlled and adjusted.  My first reaction is 
>"bologna", but perhaps some of you may know if this is a really nasty 
>job.  Is the mechanic full of it, or should I take it in?
>
>Cutlass Cierra 1984 V6 (2 bbl. carb) approx. 93,800 miles.

   Well, if it just runs bad when it is cold, and fine when it is hot,
then the carb is most likely fine, and the choke system is screwey.
If he says it's running lean AT IDLE, then it's just the idle mixture.
Ok, you say, I'll just adjust it.  NOT!
   Sadly, the EPA and car manufactuers decided that we are not capable
of doing such things, so they recessed the screw, (which has a special
head) and covered it with a hardened steel cap.  The carb must be
removed, and the little cap removed.  Chiltons/Haynes should cover
this.  Buy the adjuster tool for like $5, and follow the book
instructions for adjustment.   
   Usually, you hook up a dwell meter to a test point on the mixture
control solenoid, set the meter on 6 cyl. scale, and adjust the
mixture until it reads 30 degrees. NOTE: this may be the wrong setting
for your car, you gotta find the right one.
   As for the choke dashpot, they go for about $20-$25 bucks at he
local auto store.  They also carry a rebuild kit, gaskets and accel.
pump, just like the GM kit.

   I've rebuilt a pile of these, as the Cavalier uses the same thing,
except for the throttle plate, which got matched with the bowl off of
a Citation, and they work fine.  Bastard-childern, tho.  The main
complexity of these little things is the choke linkages on the side,
and the fact that if you do remove the top, you must take care not to
damage the mixture solenoid upon re-installation.  

>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>-Clint

________________________________________________________________________
\ The name:            -->   Bob Valentine  <--                        /
/ The address:      --> ravalent@mailbox.syr.edu <--                   \ 
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