'74 Gremlin Drive Report : Week 3, more little problems fixed...

[Gremlingts@xxxx]

 Having my Toyota truck down for repairs still, I have had time to look at 
all the little things that my bronze Gremlin is doing that needs work. I 
still had a persistent backfire this past week, so Saturday evening, after 
removing the Toyota rear axle, I started to diagnose the Gremlin. I got out 
my dwell meter, figuring the points needed adjusting. I popped the hood, 
cranked it up, hooked up the meter, and as I was watching the motor, noticed 
something peculiar....the spark plugs were vibrating OPPOSITE of the motor 
torque direction! Wha' th' 'ell? I reach over, and tweak one, with wire 
attached and running, and the darn plug turns! Well, sheet! I turn the motor 
off, and check them all....they're all loose! I don't remember changing plugs 
myself, might have been the previous owner. They were practically new, hardly 
any deposits on them, and just a little medium brown color. I tightened them 
all up, and cranked it up again. Most of the missing went away, the little 
Gremlin was running smoother yet! I looked at the Dwell...50 or so. Hmm, too 
high ( low gap ). Took me about 4-5 trys, but got it down to 30 ( 33 optimal, 
but it will wear into that range soon enough). She was humming good, and I 
kicked the throttle linkage by hand, no hesitation now! I closed the hood ( 
after disconnecting my meter, lol! ), and took it out for a spin 'round the 
block. It fired off the line great, no backfire or stalling, and ran up to 
speed quickly. Did this a few more times, I have a LONG block, about 2 times 
a normal city block. It did backfire once, at 20 mph when I really floored 
it, but other than that, it ran sweet. I think I just over-gassed it. :) Carb 
may still need some tweaking. But overall, the Gremlin is getting the 
gremlins worked out of it, so maybe I can pull out in front of traffic 
without worrying it'll die and make a target of me!
I now need to wash it off outside, and let the blower blow out all the 
trapped leaves and stuff, it really stinks in the ductwork! I'll lay a sheet 
inside the car ( a bed cover, wink! ) to catch the worst, then clean up the 
dash and such afterwards. If I really needed the defrost, it'd be a mess, I 
bet. Hasn't been used in years. And I would like to change the dash light 
bulbs, they're a bit weak, actually only two left working. I need to go to 
the Auto parts store anyway, for the Toyota. 
Well, that about wraps up my Gremlin report. I do think the rear leafs 
are sagging some, not much, maybe an inch, but it is noticeable driving the 
car, as the nose is higher. That being my only little gripe right now, 
though, it's getting me to work and back great! Gas mileage ( pre-repairs 
this Saturday ) averaged about 18 mpg. Hopefully, with the timing set by the 
points, and the plugs tightened, it'll get even better mileage. It's a fun 
car to drive. Well, back to cleaning/organizing the house. Later, all.

Jerry
saluting all those men and women who sacrificed their lives so I can own 
seven Gremlins freely....Ten-hut! Snap salute!