Re: [Amc-list] Anyone want a tank of bad gas? Free? Bring syphon!

[Frank Swygert <farna@xxxxxxx>]

Bruce, was that gas tank cleaned with some kind of solvent or acid based cleaner before you started using it again? If not, THAT'S where the gunk came from! One thing that ethanol in gas does good is keep the fuel system clean. Ethanol is, after all, the main ingredient in most fuel system cleaners. But you don't get a 10% concentration with a few ounces of cleaner! A lot of people experienced problems with older cars when ethanol first came into common use. Some of the problem was incompatible rubber parts, but those were actually few and far between -- most such parts had been replaced with newer materials on cars that were in daily service. All the old varnish and such in the tanks and fuel system started to come loose and get cleaned up -- and had to go through the engine. That was by far more of a problem for a longer time period, and still hits us today when reviving a car that has sat for a long time. I suspect that's most of your problem. Burning orange high temp sili
 cone in the engine may be some of the residue also.... ;>   I've run MMO before, never had a problem with it. 

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Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:35:07 -0400
From: Bruce Griffis <bruce.griffis@xxxxxxxxx>

I got off my lazy hind end today, popped the head off (again) and
brought it back to the machine shop. Wandered back home to get back to
work, and received a call to come on over and check it out! The valves
had a LOT of buildup. They were sticky. Had some hardened mess on
them. The car had very few miles on it since the head rebuild, this is
not old crusty sitting around crud.

They owner popped the valves out and showed me the buildup. Emeryed it
off the sticking valve - and TADA - no more sticking. They're hitting
the rest, then will bore the holes back out to spec and putting it
back together. The machine shop owner stated it was something in the
fuel. Got a fuel quality problem.

I'm thinking I know exactly what the deal is. When we had the fuel
shortage here, I drove up to a cheapy station and filled it up. Then I
popped in some of the Marvel goo for good luck. Then my car wouldn't
drive over 30 miles an hour on the way home and I parked it and went
to the Southeast regionals in my Yota to be a spectator. Or some kind
of 'tater anyway.

I figured it was a blown head gasket, so redid that. Pretzeled another
pushrod. And parked it, and left it.

So, I should have the head back tomorrow. I will stay the heck away
from additives! I will stay far far away from cheapy gas stations. The
machine shop owner said to burn premium for a while, then go back to
regular. I'll do exactly that. In the meantime, anyone want a tank
full of gas? Guaranteed to cause sticky valves!

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)


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