Subject: RE: hello all
Author: Jason Telford
Date: Oct 16, 2004, 2:27 PM
Post ID: 1717711374
STEVE FARRIS wrote:
| Hi everyone, My name is Steve |
| 1) the ambassador starts ok and has decent power but backfire's constantly. I cleaned and reset the points, and reset the valves. It runs better but still backfires (not as bad). My friend who has a '72 eldorado says he thinks it is pulling air in around the exhaust nut on L cylinder (it has stock nuts which are in pretty bad shape). I am planning on replacing with the newer two piece nuts, and also heard that the condenser could be the problem so will replace that as well (do I need guzzi condenser or will something from NAPA suffice?). Any other suggestions as to the cause of the backfiring? |
A condensor from NAPA would work just fine. Use a part for a Fiat ; ^
), so you don't insult the Guzzi. Popping and backfires are often
indicators of running lean. What do the plugs look like?
Carefully loosen the exhaust nuts, and check that you have seals in the
exhaust flange. Use a bit of neversieze when you put the manifolds back
on- those thin threads strip out very easily. Also check your intake
manifolds. Are they sealed? You should have 2 gasket's per side
between intake and head. Usually they are a mint green color. Could
the carbs be set wrong? Screw the idle mixture screws all the way in,
then out...I can't remember- either 1.5 or three turns. Could the
carbs have a plugged up galley? Another common problem is that the
valves are set, but set too tight. What values did you use? Guzzi's
like to run on the loose side. If the valves are clattering and making
all sorts of noise, then you are probably fine. Also, another basic
thing is just to check the timing.
| 2) I had the rear wheel off the eldo checking brakes and wheelbearings for source of noise coming from rear end. Bike sat about 3 days after I pulled wheel cause I have been too busy to mess with it til today. I went out this morning and started it up to put it in gear and see if the noise was coming from the u-joint. When I started it, it began blowing liquid out the crank breather tube. I opened the oil filler plug and the crank is full of gas/oil mix all the way to top of filler plug! I'm assuming this was somehow caused by me leaving the fuel petcock on for several hours the day I took the wheel off? Any ideas, suggestions, should I shoot myself now or continue the torture for some time further before dying of a broken heart? |
The petcocks almost always leak, and the carb floats do always leak.
Hmm, I wonder if it's related to question #1? You might oughta clean
the carbs. Are they VHB or SS carbs? You really should add a couple of
inline filters- they help with the rust and gunk that comes down with
the gas. In any case, drain the oil/gas in the crankcase and replace
with oil/no gas.
You should definately continue the torture for awhile. It's a lot more
fun than a bullet hole.
Enjoy the bikes- we'll look forward to hearing from you as you get them
up and running. The main thing is that the Guzzi's are dirt-simple
machines.
Cheers,
Jason