Re: Running, idling, U-joint questions

Posted by Mike Flanagan on July 11, 1998 at 21:55:37

In Reply to: Re: Running, idling, U-joint questions
posted by Kevin Daly on July 09, 1998 at 10:47:55

: Hi Frank,
: Sounds like the cam to me or maybe the valve springs.I'm sure that others can give you better suggestions for him.I'm assuming that it's still a problem after replacement carbs, head milling etc...
: As far as your concerned I think your sucking air! With the engine idling, spray some WD40 around the manifold gaskets, carb to intake manifold connection and of course any vacuum conections for the wiper if you have one. Even the plug if you don't. Any change in performance indicates a leak.Tighten nuts, replace gaskets or perhaps resurface your manifold assembly.As you car heats up the metal expands opening air gaps.
: As far as the grease fitting on the U-Join housing is concerned, There should be one there.I may very well be on the top as it can be mounted with the fitting to the top.Feel around for it or take out your floor board to see.There is a spherical inner housing with holes in it for the grease to pass through to the joint.If they are not aligned with the grease fitting the lubricant will have a hard time working its way in.Even if this is the case, keep pumping.The grease will eventually get there!Pump it till your arm falls off.One person on the board suggested taking out the rear bolt of the speedometer gear housing and pump it until the grease starts coming out that hole.This will indicate that the grease has worked its way back through the splined shaft area.Don't forget to put the bolt back in!Having pumped an entire tube of grease into the joint myself from under the car, one hand pumping, one hand at the fitting, it's perfectly understandable that some one would put the fitting on the top.It makes the lubing process a lot easier.Although it's not authentic the fitting on the top was probably done out of convenience and should be left alone.
: Good Luck,
: Kevin Daly
Kevin, the grease from the fitting on the universal housing passes directly from the fitting into the universal cavity and then passes from there through the back of the "grapefruit" to lubricate the speedo drive gear and the driveshaft bearing. I too have often wondered what purpose those holes serve but
so far haven't come up with a reasonable explanation.
As for the asthmatic engine the combination of fuel, compression and spark needs to be in harmony as the designer envisioned. Something is obviously wrong if 40 is top speed with good compression. I would suspect timing or a rrrreal flat camshaft. The old timers tell of retarding the camshaft one tooth to smooth out a rough engine and to add a little top speed. This opens the valves just a little early would seem to be the reasoning although I personally haven't tried it... yet.
God Speed Under 50.
The Model A Fool.

Follow Ups:
Re: Running, idling, U-joint questions Kevin Daly July 14, 1998 at 09:56:13(0)

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