Intermittent wackiness

["cdrugly" <tgoodwin@xxxx>]

Well, I got the new vacuum solenoid in and my problems have 
decreased. The cars runs much better, but I still get a bit of 
sluggishness in the upper parts of 1st and 2nd gear.

While I was letting it warm up yesterday, the engine would rev up to 
about 5000 RPM for no reason even though the throttle was not 
pressed... it just went crazy. The only way to stop it was to cut the 
engine. When I decided to take it on the road, I didn't have this 
problem anymore. I drove it for a good while and never got it to 
happed at a stop or anywhere on the road.

I also noticed that my timing was spot on. When I hit the throttle, 
the timing would advance but never return. To make it go back, I 
would have to pull the vacuum tube off of the solenoid. When I put it 
back on, the timing remained normal until I revved the engine again. 
The microswitch is grounding correctly and the solenoid seems to be 
funtioning correctly as well (better be, it's brand spanking new).

As I hunt for vacuum leaks, I hear a hissing coming from the plug 
that covers the CO adjustment screw in themixture control unit. Is 
this normal? I don't remember it, but that doesn't mean it wasn't 
there all along. 

I know the O-ring beneath the fuel distributor needs to be replaced. 
It was pretty much gone and I replaced it with liquid gasket until I 
can order a new one. Also, I removed the mixture control unit. Does 
this mean it's gasket needs to be replaced as well (like the manual 
suggests)?

Finally, the last 2 points of the equation. My idle is higher than it 
should be 1200-1500 RPM and my engine is running too rich. I always 
end of smelling like gasoline when I get done hovering over the 
engine. 

Suggestions, sympathy? Should I drive it into deep cravass? Maybe it 
would run better at the bottom of a lake...

Travis
#3512