I don't think it's supposed to do this...

[Dino]

The saga continues!

I drove the car for about 1 1/2 hours today, not in one go though, I had several stops to make.

For whatever reason, the carb is acting up.  A while back my choke wire had grounded itself out and pretty much disintegrated.  Where it usually takes half a second to start, it now took 5 seconds and sometimes I had to floor it to get it going.  Yesterday I ran a new wire to the choke and this morning it fired right up.  But something wasn't right.  When I left home this morning it was running with the choke on and all was fine, a few minutes later I pulled up to a stop and it was idling really low.  By the time I got into town it was idling so low I was amazed it didn't stall.  At the next few red lights I kept my left foot on the brake and gave it a bit more throttle.  I pulled into a parking lot and as soon as I stopped it died.  Again it took a few seconds to fire up and again I had to floor it.  I have no clue why it did this so I turned the idle speed up.  Now it idled just fine, and it still does, but I can't figure out why I had to adjust the idle all of a suffen.  Before I pulled over I would pop the trans in neutral so it would idle a bit higher, but it had zero effect and that's a first.  I usally have a good amount of difference in rpm between D and N, as it should, but not any more.

When I left for home it needed a few seconds of cranking again and I could hear a faint ringing as if something was hitting again, this was while cranking the starter.  While I drove home I took some back roads and went light on the throttle so I could hear better and I heard a faint ringing again, as if the tc bolts were hitting the cover plate again, but not nearly as bad as before.  As soon as I gave it a bit more throttle, I could no longer hear it.  By the time I got home there was no sound, not even idling in the garage where
I should be able to hear it more clearly.  There is more trans fluid under the bell housing, but not a ton, still it's more than a silver dollar size this time.

I'm reluctant to drive it now and I'm not sure what to do.  Suggestions welcome!

[71 SE3834V]

Knowing what I know of the car I would say the on going flooding at idle has gotten worse and it may now be flooding when the engine is off making it necessary to hold the pedal down to clear out the excess fuel.

As far as the noise if you think it might be the same noise I would suggest rechecking the tc bolts and you might want to rotate the engine around and check clearance between the bolts and block. Possible warped flex plate? Anyone ever see one warped? If it's bolted to the TC one would think it would have to be true unless one of the mounting locations was coming off. I have seen another brand warped but not a mopar.

[ws23rt]

Speaking on the TC issue. The TC is a fluid connection and if it is in perfect design it will just transmit rotation (radial loads) without thrust.
The real world is different and that's one of the reasons the flex plate is called a "flex" plate. It absorbs axial forces.

If the flex plate is weak or cracked it could very well move enough (from unintended thrust/axial forces) to allow the bolts to hit the cover plate.

Since I'm not up to speed on torque convertors I can't say that's the issue based on the symptoms.  It's just a thought.

My vote still is the flex plate is not up to snuff. Likely cracked at the crank connection.

[Dino]

Yeah I'm thinking there's a good chance the flex plate is a goner.  Of course today it didn't make a peep.   

Jeff I think this carb has done its duty and it's getting about time to retire it.  After installing that pressure regulator it does drive way better and it's actually spinning the tire again (yes just one  )

When I walked into the garage this morning I was slapped in the face with a serious fuel smell.  After I opened up the place and pushed it out I noticed a big leak right under the tank.  The poor thing is so beat up that it's just pissing out the fuel!  It was down to a quarter so I made a quick run (pedal to the metal) to the store and back and it's pretty empty now!

So the beast has been parked and a new gas tank will be placed.  I may wait a bit and do the trans and leaf springs at the same time.   

[ws23rt]

Wow a number of things bunch up at once.   It has the up side of being able to take care of several problems in one down time.

I've noticed the same thing in life issues. Sometimes a lot comes at the same time. I guess it's part of balancing out for the long periods when all is well.

You are likely due for a long period of smooth cruising.

[Dino]

Yep life tends to do that and the car doesn't seem to want to be left out.   

I've had more life challenges in the last 2 months than in the preceding 5 years.  It's insane and it has really tested me in many ways.

Because of that I can put the car problems in perspective.  As much as I love that thing, it's still just a car.  It was always a very reliable car and the few issues I had were either small or self induced.   

Since May I have damaged the front fender and the mint I piece on the grille, smashed the corner of the front valance, made the trans scream, ruined the fuel tank, and further deteriorated the carb.  The latter is no big deal, it came with the car.   

On a positive note, due to the erratic carb behaviour I know found out it's not as big of a slug as I thought.  For some reason, hard starting and idling also resulted in the beast having more power.  I've spun the tires so much today it was embarrassing!     Man I can't wait to get the new cam and carb!   

I think the fuel tank got damaged when I got run off the road and into a construction zone last month.  The numerous potholes and vibration must've made it worse.  I do have quite the dent in the botttom of the tank.

I just noticed I put well over 1000 miles on the car since late April so at least it wasn't a wasted season!   

Besides, with the new parts the car will only get better.  I may even add a stereo this time..   

[Dino]

I pulled the tank and found a pin hole on a crease, likely from crashing into that big rock on the construction site so that one's going bye bye.  Man that thing was filthy!

I also found a trace of fuel under the carb linkage so I pulled the carb and it's leaking from numerous places.  The base gasket was soaked on the linkage side so that explains the erratic behaviour.

I guess that was it as far as driving goes this season.  After just spending $4K or so on our cat and spending $3K in May on our other cat, the car will have to wait.

Once we get the funds back up I'll get a new tank, straps, bolts, seal, street demon carb, and whatever else it may need.  Oh, there was no pad between tank and trunk floor.  Should I buy the rubber one or is there a better option?  Like get some material and make it myself?

[71 SE3834V]

Ouch! When it rains it pours....on the floor!
Yeah life. Just found out my leaky roof (on the house) will end up coming in at $12,000 to take care of it all and now I'm down a vehicle. Wife's Dakota blew a brake line and of course it's the toughest one to replace. Main line to the rear between the frame and gas tank. Of course just in time comes the heat wave. Might just farm this one out.
Well at least the car is running good. I could sit here and mope about it or I can go for a ride....I think I'll go for a ride!

I need to send you a PM and let you know what's going on w/the hood. You wanna make some money and paint a car??   

[Dino]

Damn that's some bad luck!  Yeah the heat wave isn't helping but it'll be over by Monday...I hope.

If you have a booth and gear, I'll be happy to paint.   

[71 SE3834V]

Booth? We don't need no stinking booth! 

[Dino]

Base color may be doable without a booth, but clear will create so much mist you end up painting half the neighborhood!  

[71 SE3834V]

Heck, half the neighborhood could use a sprucing up. Ha!

[Dino]

Some news, nothing good most likely but news nonetheless!

The engine is out and the flex plate removed.  The plate is not cracked...it's bent.  Yeah...

Two ears have a slight bent to them, which may be normal but I don't know, the other two ears are bent more and it can be seen easily.  Ever since the noise happened, the starter started getting tired.  Last time I started the car the starter sounded like it was filled with dirt and was so slow it sounded like the battery was dying while it was fine.  So what happened to cause this and how do I proceed?  I'll drop the trans soon and will remove the tc.  Trans fluid was found in the bottom of the bellhousing again so I'll be replacing the seal and pump housing maybe?