DeTomaso Mailing List: April 99, Message #111

In a message dated 4/3/99 9:29:47 AM, hopp@concentric.net writes:

<< I guess I was wondering if anyone else has this problem?  Also are my 
valves
actually sticking open at idle without the additive that causes the engine to 
lose its idle? >>

I'd guess your hi-compression motor is running lean, misfiring a bit at idle 
which eventually kills it. Have someone check the fuel/air at idle. Sticking 
valves don't 'heal up' that quickly. We ran 13-1/2:1 for a while on a 
semi-comp engine that required 105 octane. While street-driving it back from 
an event, the owner ran it REAL low on fuel. Pulled into a station that sold 
ethanol/premium w/102 octane advertised. We had to push-start the car in the 
station, and it absolutely would not run below about 1500 rpm. When he got 
home, he de-gassed the tank & used the fuel in a garden tractor.... I guessed 
the viscosity of an ethanol/gas mix was slightly thicker than 'pure' gas, 
thus less flowed thru the idle jets & we got a super-lean condition (Barry 
Grant 750 Holley, dyno-tuned). Cheers- J deRyke