DeTomaso Mailing List: May 2000, Message #9

You've got a perplexing problem.  I've never experienced a problem such as yours, but 3 things do come to mind.  

First, you didn't mention changing the carb, while I don't think it should cause the symptoms you are describing, it can cause some weird problems.  

Second, you didn't mention changing the cap and rotor, a bad/cracked distributor cap will cause similar problems.

Third, I assume you checked the pushrods on 4-8 when you removed the heads, bent pushrods will cause the problems you describe.  I'd pull the valve covers and verify that the 4-8 valves are being activated the same amount as the other cylinders (use a magnetic mount dial indicator gauge).

 Craig Cline
   1974 Pantera #7352   - the Green One      San Diego, California
   1969 Shelby GT-500   - the Red One        E-mail: Craig.Cline@trw.com
   1967 Trans-Am Cougar - the Fast One       Work Phone (858)592-3423
   1995 Mustang GT      - the Daily One      Home Phone (760)634-3580
   1997 Expedition      - the Wife's Bus

-----Original Message-----
From: Franck DJ (Don) [mailto:DJFranck@equilon.com]
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2000 8:20 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Persistent miss with 351 Windsor


Okay,  We have done compression test with a low of 140 high of 150.
Done a Leakdown and it is okay.
Changes heads
Changes distributor
Changed Intake manifold
Changed Coil
Changed spark plugs and wires
Triple checked the firing order IT IS CORRECT
Changed the Spark plug wires around.

After each of these steps, I get the same results.  It now seems to me that
the problem must lie in the short block.

I still have a very bad miss at idle  If I pull the plus wires on 4 and 8,
there is no difference at idle.  This is a 351 Windsor and 4 and 8 are next
to each other in the firing order so I get a VERY BAD vibration at idle.

It does seem to me the I get the most power from 1 and 5 with progressively
less power from both sides as I work my way to the back of the engine.

My vacuum is about 19 with a wobble.

I have had two suggestions.

One - the crank is twisted????
Two - I have a bad cam????

I figure I can change the cam for around a hundred bucks.  The crank is a
different story.  

WHAT SHOULD I DO???????


Don Franck
DJFranck@equilon.com
1971 Pantera #1777 /  1969 Mustang Mach 1 
Wk 713-346-3211 / Wk Fax  713-241-8234
HM 281-856-8049 / Hm Fax  281-859-9531
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