Got it home and started working on it
Yesterday I did the paperwork and drove the car home. In traffic it runs rough, pops out the exhaust and spits out of the carburetors. I didn't notice that when I test drove it because that was a spirited drive on open roads. From 3ooo RPM it runs just fine, as well as at idle. My theory is that it is a result of having sat so long and possibly old pugs, wrong plug and points gaps, plus a partially gummed up carburetor. I was anxious to get it home because it was a clear, sunny day at 40 degrees F.
Starting was also hard. Needed starter spray and lots of choke. No choke cable, so the seller had to manage the choke. I knew that and had ordered a choke cable and received it.
After putting it in the garage we went out to dinner and celebrated with dinner at a local restaurant. Got home and watched TV until bed time. When I emptied my pockets the Caterham keys were not there. I know I can't sleep if I have done something like that, so I backtracked as much as I could and didn't locate the keys. Went dejectedly to bed and slept poorly as expected.
Next morning I checked outside, and to my delight I found them right outside the garage door. Phew. The only filler cap key was on that chain. I have duplicates for all other keys. First to the hardware store to see if they could make another filler cap key. No blanks for that. Checked the interweb and none there to be found either. Checked another hardware store and they didn't have one, but the lady there pointed me to a third one that apparently has a blank of every key made. She was right, so I now have spares for all keys.
At Autozone I picked up a set of spark plugs, a timing light, feeler gauges, Sea Spray and a bottle of Stabil. Even though it was cold when I got home I decided to start the project. First I reinstalled the filler, which I had brought along so I could test keys as they were made. Then I poured the can of Sea Spray in the full gas tank. After that I moved on to installing the choke cable. Not as easy as I expected, but still easy enough. The holes for the wire un the choke connection were too small and has to be drilled larger. I decided to to proceed to running the cable to the dash before testing it. I can reach the loose end of the cable from the driver's seat. Kery turned, wait for the fuel pump to do its thing, full choke and turned the key. Fired right up and kept running as I gradually reduced choke. Real progress.
By now it was getting dark, so I wrapped up by letting it warm up and then trying to apply choke with partial throttle. As I expected, the revs went up, a good indication that I am on the right track.
If the weather is decent tomorrow I'll install the choke in the dash and take it out for a spin so the Sea Spray can do its job cleaning out the carburetors. If the balancer vacuum gauge has arrived I plan to proceed to balancing the carbs and setting the low range mixture. After that plugs and gaps plus timing. With luck I'll cure the popping and spitting.
I also have a compression gauge and will see what that shows. Depending on how well everything turns out I will decide whether it is worth pulling the head and sending it out for refurbishment.
This feels good!
1987 Caterham 1700 Supersprint
2002 Porsche Boxster
2004 Porsche Boxster S
1941 Dodge Luxury Liner
2009 Mercedes CLK 350 Cabriolet
2017 Chevrolet Volt
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Originally Posted by Anker
