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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.