TR2/3/3A TR3A fast idle cam connection?

[TR3driver]

Assuming the fuel hole in the bottom of the float bowls was clear, none of that sounds fatal to me; I'd keep looking.

That little peg just keeps the piston from crashing too hard into the bridge; it should have no effect with the engine running. Never thought to check how much clearance it allows, but that much variation does sound odd. Are you sure it's not the needle binding and holding the piston up?

 

[jdubois]

Assuming the fuel hole in the bottom of the float bowls was clear, none of that sounds fatal to me; I'd keep looking

Yup, they were clear. I took the bowls off the carb bodies, cleaned them thoroughly for good measure, and made sure everything was clear of obstruction.

Are you sure it's not the needle binding and holding the piston up?

Yeah, pretty sure. When I push down on the piston it goes to the bottom smoothly and as soon as I lift up it springs smoothly back to where it was.

I thought that it wouldn't make a difference when the engine was running because the piston would never be that low, thanks for confirming.

 

[jdubois]

On further examination, it has to be the stripped threads on the front float bowl cover that's causing the problem. The gas pump works fine, nice solid bursts of gas, but I turned the crank by hand with the covers off the float bowls and the needle valve forced closed- The rear one was fine, the front one had gas pouring out of it even with the valve closed tight. I took the valve seat out again and the threads on the cover are stripped worse than I thought.

Any suggestions where to get the float bowl cover assembly? Looks like Moss has the rear one but not the front one. VB doesn't list either. Do I have to start looking for used? (Anybody got a spare one? )

 

[TR3driver]

P/N 506728, $14.95 @ TRF.
https://secure.zeni.net/trf/

I've probably got a used one I could let go, but at that price it's not worth bothering. Let me know if they don't have it.

 

[jdubois]

Thanks Randall! I ordered one. It said the status of that part was "CWE" but they don't give any indication what their status codes mean, so hopefully it's in stock. I guess I'll take the down time to replace the clutch slave cylinder that's been failing...

 

[jdubois]

Well, my TRF order arrived minus the float bowl lid- "No longer available". So I started calling around. Joe Curto in NYC said he should have one and, despite his "NY style" customer service<span style="font-size: 8pt">*</span>, claims he's sending one out to me.

<span style="font-size: 8pt">
* On the first call I got greeted with a gruff, "I'm busy, call back later." On the second call I got, "I'm on the phone with a customer, call back later." On the third call I got, "Why the h*** do you want one of those?"</span> :laugh:

 

[jdubois]

I got the new float bowl lid in, and the new starter solenoid (I opted to get the kind with the push button start directly on it!) and got the whole thing back together. But now I think I'm back where I started. I got the car to keep running, got it up to temperature, and sync'ed and adjusted mixture (using my colortune) on both carbs. All fine. But I have a suspicion that I'm still going to have trouble with the fast idle speed when cold. If I set it correctly when cold, it will interfere with the regular idle screw when the engine is warm, even when the choke is released.

On top of that, the 308 just yesterday decided to let go of the inner axle-shaft boot on the passenger side, and started flinging grease everywhere, including on the cat, producing a nice big cloud of brown smoke in my rear view on the highway! But I don't suppose you all want to hear me complain about Italian cars. :wink:

At least my little spit is still soldiering on. I knew there was a reason she's my favorite.