Tune-up help needed

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'll be doing a fairly thorough tune-up on the 69E (2.0 screamer) in a few weeks and want to know what I should order from our host. I think it would be a good idea to replace everything from plugs all the way to the air filter and know what I have in there.

When I bought the car in CA, I thought it ran fine, but then driving it across country something cleaned itself out (might have been the addition of real gas in Wyoming) but it was like I gained 30 hp or so. It drove well for the past 2 years (2,000 miles after the trip) but is sort of gurgly these days with poor throttle response, a hiccup when depressing the accelerator, and a backfire now and again revving it high on the freeway and then coasting. Power seems down to CA days.

I am especially interested in suggestions for "higher performance than stock" wires, plugs and gap, and any other tricks of the early car trade.

Thanks in advance.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa

thorough tune-up on the 69E (2.0 screamer)

- carbs, MFI, EFI ?

- cams ?

- stock compression, heads, exhaust ?

- how do current spark plugs look? Is a pic necessary ?

- do you drive it for short distances routinely? How far, usually ?

- Bosch CD, Crane, MSD ?

- Elec system voltage aok ?

- Distributor points, Crane optical, Pertronix ?

- Do you have a timing light ?

- Have you ever done a tune-up before ?

- Do you know how to adjust valves ?

- Have you ever used fuel system cleaner ?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Ron, thanks for the outline. Here's what I've got

car has 105,000 original miles, only Carrera tensioners have been added

MFI rebuilt by Europmetrix at one point

Stock cams
Stock compression, heads, exhaust

- how do current spark plugs look? Is a pic necessary ?
Need to pull plugs and take a look

- do you drive it for short distances routinely? How far, usually ?
Whenever I drive the car, I make sure it hits 180 degrees. I take it mostly on trips out to Western MA, CT, go to the mall

- Bosch CD, Crane, MSD ?
Bosch CD I imaging

- Elec system voltage aok ?
Should be, I can check

- Distributor points, Crane optical, Pertronix ?
Stock

- Do you have a timing light ?
Yes

- Have you ever done a tune-up before ?
Long time ago when I did 240Zs

- Do you know how to adjust valves ?
Still need to learn how to do that.

- Have you ever used fuel system cleaner ?
At least twice in this car, Techron

To be honest I haven't owned an early car in a very long time, so I would count myself as a skilled beginner in tackling this.

[DonDavis]

Go through CMA as well. Actually, change the aforementioned hardware, make sure it still runs after each step. Don't replace several things just to find it won't start.

Then, go through CMA. MFI is great when it's right. A real pain when it's out.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Shaun 84 Targa

car has 105,000 original miles,
MFI rebuilt

Stock cams, Stock compression, heads, exhaust

Need to pull plugs and take a look

I make sure it hits 180 degrees. I take it mostly on trips out to Western MA, CT, go to the mall

Bosch CD I imaging

- Elec system voltage aok ?
Should be, I can check

- Distributor points, Crane optical, Pertronix ?
Stock

Noah is correct on the big picture, although I think you should just get it running correctly first. The rest can and should be good entertainment.

- I have no experience with MFI, so your gonna have to do a search on that. Maybe you could do that after it's running ok, maybe not?

- I would start by pulling the plugs to see what your dealing with. Only pull plugs when engine is cold. You're gonna need some anti-seize for the plugs. Most guys use the copper anti-seize. Plug heat temp range is probably an issue. ie: relatively mild Calif vs cold n. east will affect plug fouling. I would consider that the immediate first step.

- E-cams aren't radical to keep the car running ok if you fully warm the engine.. meaning a minimum of 10mi in the winter. MFI is a rich mix, especially for very short winter rides.

- Confirm the elec system is ok. A voltage ga in the cabin is a cheap instant "heads up".


So far a hopeful guess is plugs, points, and timing to get it running.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Thanks guys! The MSD is not in the cards right now, but will be pulling plugs maybe tomorrow at lunch. stay tuned, no pun intended.