Please help me tune my fairmont 200

Hey guys, I didn't find a wagon to buy but the 64 econoline I bought has an early 80's 200 out of a fairmont.

The last owner bought a brand new carb but couldn't get it to run right.

It's the type with all sorts of vacum connections and an electrical connection for (I assume) a choke.

An old timer popped the hood on his 81 merc wagon to show me all the freaken pipes and hoses going to his carb (which was identical).


This van has none of that emmisions stuff so can I use this carb? What do I have to do to get her purring? (I just drove it 7 hours and it was painfull).

I can go take some pics of it if nobody has one of these.

Thanks

 

It's probably a Holley 1946.
I suggest putting a cap on all the vacuum ports to start with, and then start tuning.
You could use one of them to run vacuum advance to the distributor.
There is usually a hot air connection that goes into the choke as well. It's usually a hard line that runs from the exhaust manifold up to the choke. If it's not there the choke might not open completely. Brake line can be used for the pipe, and kits are also available.

 

Thanks Andy!

I couldn't find any #'s on it other than the rebuilder autoline's

So I just run 12V from a switch to the choke and turn the switch on when I start it then off once it's warm?

I'll rig up something for the hose, I didn't have all the ports blocked off so that's probably why it was stumbling and backfiring. (I turned the spring until the choke was open before I hit the highway)

 

The choke would normally get it's electrical feed from the alternator.
There's usually a wire that comes off the harness and is attached to the stator terminal.
That way it's always on, as it should be.

 

Roddy, Andy is my carb guru and we're neighbours. I think its a white with black hatch marks, wire from the ALT. You're in good hands.

 

I'll have a look today, I have a meter to check for power. Thanks a lot.

 

Well I got the carb working better, thanks for the help.

New problem is when these guys put this engine in it looks like they removed the crank pulley and put a smaller one on! (single belt)

My timing indictor is in it's proper location but there is nothing for it to point too!:banghead3:

So, any ideas on how I can time this motor? Should I just do it by vacuum like I read in some other posts? thanks.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/66-6...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5635ea54ab

There originally was one molded into the timing cover, but this part was added later.
It would be a fairly easy part to pull at the junkyard.

 

Sounds like you have no choice. I'd still mark the pulley, so you get an idea of how much its off, for future reference.

Next, if you're using vacuum, the altitude where you are will also affect the timing and the vacuum. Normal vacuum should be around 18 to 20, at an idle setting for your engine. So if the setting is 550 to 700, and idleing smoothly at 20 PSI, check the timing mark (as bad as it may look) and see if its close to 10 degrees up to say 14 degrees. Some of the 200 cid specs called for 8 to 10, on a normal pulley, so you'd have to adjust accordingly.

The other option is to forget the timing mark completely, and tweak the distributor at the engine idle RPMs, or 100 RPM higher and then back it off by 2 PSI. That should get you real close to what it should be.

Then test drive it to see if it pings on acceleration and tweak the distributor to give it more advance, watch the distributor diaphragm for a reference point. Hope you've got a tach too.

Good luck.

 

That's what mine looks like, maybe because it's in a van the angle isn't right to aim the gun at the pulley.

 

Sounds like I have to buy a tach and a vacuum gauge, it's really tight in the van engine compartment. Is there a bolt under the dist. to loosen to turn it? Back side?

 

The bolt is on the block side, of course. If you're looking at the block from the side it's at about 2 o'clock. Here's a picture of Norm's distributor that I used for a reference when timing mine.
If yours is in that neighbourhood you're doing fine. That's TDC at about 8° advanced.

 

Great picture! thanks

I had instructions for the carb adjustment thumbscrew/needle to back it out until the motor stumbles then slowly turn it in until the idle raises. Then back it out a little.

Mine does neither (just shakes and shudders)....so I'm going back to checking everything else too.

 

Finally found a wrench that fit the dist, turned it clockwise a bit and set the carb. She's roaring now! When I get a gauge and tach I'll do it right, thanks so much for your help guys!

 

Take a tour to Princess Auto. I think they have an outlet out there. Most of their clientele are farmers, so the products are BUILT and the prices are right low.

http://www.princessauto.com/

Coquitlam and Langley seem to be the closest.

I got my vacuum gauge on a sale day for $10! from regular $45. Download the flyer and save some bucks. Pretty amazing place.
http://www.princessauto.com/locations