Re: 65 Rambler - Gasoline Geyser - Help?!

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: I can think of a number of things that cause what you describe, and they 
don't even include a bad carb! Cam walk (early 6s  bad for it. That's why 
the 4.0L got a cam buttom stock) Bad ignition condenser (sudden weather 
change can finish ones that are old) Bent or slipped exhaust pushrod. 
Sticking intake valve. Bad vacuum leak. Raunchy gas, etc, etc.


From: "Brian Hagen" <brian.hagen@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: 65 Rambler - Gasoline Geyser - Help?!
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 17:44:27 -0500

The Patient: 1965 AMC Rambler American 440  232 6cyl  with a lean burn
Carter WC carb (previous owner did install). I can't exactly tell what model
carb it is (2 barrel) because the lean burn system covers the area on the
carb where the model number is cast. You can see a picture of it below.

The Diagnosis:  This car is new to me, ive owned it for 3 weeks, and other
than driving it up into my driveway once i havent driven it at all. This is
the now infamous "car that moos" that I posted about earlier.

Whats new:  I replaced all the plugs and wires. New cap and rotor. New
Pertronix elec ignition w/new pertronix Flamethrower coil.  I bought a
rebuidt distributor for the car, but when i was trying to install it, i
cracked the base. So i instead moved the vacuum, and the 'guts' from the
'New" distributor into the "old" one.  Installed.

I pulled the plugs and manually (using a big wrench on the front of the
engine) and set it to TDC on Cylinder 1.  I double-tripled checked the spark
plug wiring. Everything looks a-ok.   The Pertronix ignition wires (red and
black) go directly to the coil (red on +, black on -)

((I also was going to replace the mooing starter today with a new one i
purchased. But then I realized that its next to impossible to replace a
starter alone!  Somebodys got to hold it, while the other guy bolts it in!
So, until i can get it on a lift, the mooing starter stays.))

The Symptoms:
Well, the carb geysers gasoline!  The best way to describe it is to watch
this short Quicktime video I made of it.
http://www.brianhagen.com/carb.mov
A picture of carb:
http://www.brianhagen.com/carb.jpg

For those without Quicktime.. The car will crank (wrr wrr wrr wrr) and then
PFT! a cloud of gasoline will shoot out of the carb!  It reminds me of when
my 2 year old sneezes on me, very wet. The car of course... doesnt start.

Since the timing seems to be ok, and since everything is pretty much brand
new, the carb is my suspect.  The carb always seemed "bad". The linkage
doesn't move smoothly. But before i did my entire igntion changeover, it
would start. Now all i get is a gasoline Old Faithful! So im left to wonder.

I'd love to replace this lean burn carb with something that well, runs!  And
runs better.   Or does this geyser say that something is wrong in my
ignition setup?  Any ideas appreciated. ANY!


....Id love to be able to drive this car someday ;-)