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Need some help with the Capri.

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Old May 11, 2006 | 10:31 AM
  #1  
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Unhappy Need some help with the Capri.

My wifes car is a 1979 Mercury Capri we converted to a 302/T5. I had to get it to pass smog a few months ago, had to take it to a shop for some carb and timing adjustments. It ran like crap but it passed. The mechanic said it was real lean and to richen it up after the test which I thought I did. The car has been running fine, but as the weather gets warmer 70-80*, if the car sits at a light for several minutes it will start to hesitate, I can usually accelerate through it, but it will buck for a bit. I noticed on the way home the other day, that as I was accelerating I could hear some slight pinging. The motor is realtively stock, an RV cam with .040 pistons, edelbrock performer, and some shorty headers. It has an edelbrock 600cfm carb. I have been told to adjust the mixture to get max idle, which is where it's at, if I turn either screw either way, it starts to stumble. The timing is at 10*. I am not sure what to do now. I know it will get worse as it gets hotter.
 
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Old May 11, 2006 | 11:03 AM
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wow, smog checks on a 1979 car?
 
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Old May 11, 2006 | 11:09 AM
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Yep, 1964 and older are the only exceptions unless you have classic plates like on my 67 Mustang. Luckily I just moved to a town that for now doesn't require smog testing.
 
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Old May 11, 2006 | 12:43 PM
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What size are the main jets in the carb? They may be too small causing high cylinder temperatures which result in pinging.

I don't know how the Edelbrock jets are numbered, but a .054 size drill bit should be about the right size jet opening for your application. With a stock 302 I usually run a .052 bit size for best mileage and power withought pinging. I think with .040 over you should be at least .054, maybe .056.
 
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Old May 12, 2006 | 10:26 AM
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Not sure on the jet size, the carb is still stock, I bought it brand new years ago. My wife came home complaining about the hesitation again, I decided to give it another go. I believe I retarded the timing a bit(turn dizzy counterclockwise), which allowed me to open the mixture screws a full 1.5 turns without causing the car to stumble. I will have to take it in the city to see if it helped, but it still runs great on the open road.
 
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Old May 14, 2006 | 04:51 AM
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MAn this car is running awesome now, had it in stop and go traffic today, and not a single hiccup, no pinging either, it also feels like it has a lot more power now too.
 
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