Re: [Amc-list] 77 Gremlin It's ALIVE (Long)

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Joe,

Do you have vacuum to the EGR valve at idle? You should not. Also, the 
EGR valve should probably be hooked up to a temperature controlled 
switch so it doesn't work when the engine is cold. Finally, do you have 
a service manual for your car? If so, does it have a list of EGR valves 
in it? The factory manual for my 78 El Camino does (I know, it's not AMC 
but you never know) and it was a very helpful since the factory part 
number was on a sticker that was painted over.

Matt

JOE FULTON wrote:
> I just got back from my first couple of drives around
> the block in my 77 Gremlin.  I'll put some pics om my
> photobucket site tonight.
> 
> I had tuned the engine (258/2bbl) which came from a 76
> Hornet I parted out last year.  The replacement engine
> had idled good with the factory rebuilt carb I put on
> it, but it didn't seem to have any power.  I put a new
> EGR valve but could not match the part number of the
> old valve because it evidently was a replacement. I
> just tried to match the orifice size of the old valve.
> The valve I replaced had a hokey diaphragm which was
> separate from the valve (forget what it's called) and
> I wanted a factory type unitized valve so I could
> route the vacuum hoses IAW the factory diagram.  I
> worked with John Elle by email (thanks John for your
> assistance) and I thought I had the hoses correct.  
> 
> After getting it running, I put the car in the garage
> for the winter without correcting the low power
> problem and began buffing the paint and replacing the
> interior and generally sprucing it up.  The paint on
> the roof and rear quarters buffed out pretty good. 
> The car had the Gremlin X stripes which I sanded off,
> starting with 220 grit and working to finer grades. 
> The paint held up and there are virtually no shadows
> from the stripes where I buffed.  I left the front
> fenders and will repaint them and the valance in a few
> weeks.  I sanded and repainted the hood with PPG
> DP90LF black primer.  I also worked on the brakes and
> the grille.
> 
> Today was rollout day.  I started the car and the old
> symptoms, not much power when the motor is raced, came
> back.  They don't heal themselves it seems.  I took it
> for a trip around the block (no license plates so I
> kept it brief) and the motor was sputtering with no
> power.  I brought it back and did some diagnosis.  I
> had good vacuum to the distributor vacuum advance and
> the centrifugal advance was working.  The accelerator
> pump was putting out a healthy shot of gas.  I put in
> fresh gas before the drive.  I then confirmed that I
> had good vacuum (off idle and higher) to the new EGR
> valve with the engine warmed up.  I disconnected the
> vacuum hose to the EGR and plugged it and the engine
> smoothed out and had power upon acceleration.  Another
> trip around the block with a smile on my face
> confirmed that the EGR is at fault.  I'm gonna replace
> it and see what happens.
> 
> Later,
> Joe Fulton
> Salinas, CA
> 
>   
> 
>  
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> 

-- 
mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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