Reading pistons...

my understanding of they way the fuel pump works is that they are one way valves operated by vacuum diaphram. I've never tried but I would imagine the one way valves could allow slow seepage past them in they direction of flow. if you put an electric pump in line with a mechanical pump wont it push right through if the mechanical is not working??

It will if it is set up correctly, there are several Barn members that run that type of setup. Need to be sure the fuel pump is in good condition or you can pump fuel into the crankcase.
 
so, we are agreeing that it's rich and most likely fuel washed.

what is the "baseline" setting for a dual 97 setup with very mild cam and 239 +30

these are what I remember from memory.
jets= .043
powervalves= unknown
idle jet setting= 3/4-1 turn out

air filters=small paper elements that I think are really restrictive.

what do you have and recommend?? thinking of switching over to something less restrictive on air filters as well
 
I agree that the paper filters may be restrictive. Many do not think so.
They are listed as 2" tall. After you subtract the two 1/4"rubber ends,they have 1 1/2" high filters. They are 4" accross the ends,but filters are 3 1/2".

I was using 43 jets on my 2 97s. An A/F meter showed still rich. I now have 41s
In them,but have not tried it.

John
 
With the A/F meter, check it with the filters on and with them off. That should tell you if they are affecting the A/F ratio.
 
I am not using paper filters. I was not clear. The jet changes are just tuning.

John

Interesting... what size powervalve? From my understanding 97 powervalves have a big effect on mid rpm and tend to lean out on top end when they fall off and you are only on the main
 
LOL, well that might be a hint. :)

yeah... it's not a hint! I plan to rebuild the carbs and tune it up without them. since I will have the carbs all apart to rebuild them I am looking to find out what SHOULD be in there for jets and PV's. I'd rather not have to take it back apart again!

Since I was only running it around the block without the filters I may just have been lean on the idle mixture. it also breaks up when it's cold out. like in the 30's or 40s. never really been that much of an issue with a roadster but I've taken a ride around a few times and it never runs right.

when the motor was built it was put together with copper pennies in the exhaust crossovers. when pulled apart one was missing and the other is corroded enough that it's about to come out.

on a side note... . it was put together with the graphite gaskets and the heads look PERFECT inside. the joys of modern coolant!

which gasket set should I be getting to put this baby back together?? I've been looking around for best gaskets and haven't seen one kit that looked good?? the mains seem to weep a bit so I wanted to replace the rope seals... but since there is zero noise coming from the bottom end and the top end looks so damn clean I'm thinking I should leave the crank in place and clean up the pan and just dealing with any drips that come from the upper rope seal?? the one piece seal conversion won't go on with the crank in place correct???


should I clean up the carbon on the combustion area or leave it as is??
 
the gasket set i just used from speedway had the black rope seals. they are too small to fit the space in the oil pan and timing cover. i had to fill it with goo and then fit the seal in place with a big socket, wait overnight for it to dry and then trim it off. pain in the rear, and i'm expecting it to leak! i think the white rope seals fit...or used to!
 
the gasket set i just used from speedway had the black rope seals. they are too small to fit the space in the oil pan and timing cover. i had to fill it with goo and then fit the seal in place with a big socket, wait overnight for it to dry and then trim it off. pain in the rear, and i'm expecting it to leak! i think the white rope seals fit...or used to!

I've read many people that were very happy with the graphite seals?? everyone has said that "best" brand gaskets were what I should use.. I just want to know what part number and where to get them....

basically it looks like it boils down to "graphtite" or copper head gaskets?? I just took off a set of graphtite looking gaskests...
 
Last edited:
I've read many people that were very happy with the graphite seals?? everyone has said that "best" brand gaskets were what I should use.. I just want to know what part number and where to get them....

basically it looks like it boils down to "graphtite" or copper head gaskets?? I just took off a set of graphtite looking gaskests...

The 'Best Gasket' brand is what you're looking for - they have full-engine gasket sets as well as a host of smaller items/sets. Their standard and BigBore sets can come with either a copper head gasket, or a GraphTite head gasket. Their big-port intake gaskets are what I always use - then I port them further. LOL

http://bestgasket.com/engine_catalog_make.asp?Make=Ford-Mercury

Speedway has created their own 'clone' gasket sets that they show as either 'GraphTite' or 'Graphite' -- they are NOT the same as Best Gasket's stuff - they are a far inferior copy. I went through multiple issues with them and sent them back (as I thought I was ordering Best Gasket stuff) - they refunded my money. When I let their people know about the issues their comment was "we've sold hundreds, nobody complained before" -- I let them know that maybe they didn't know enough to complain, but I do.

Attached is the document that I sent to Speedway - it covers some of my issues. Again - they refunded my money . . . but I still don't like how they're site makes you think it is a Best Gasket GraphTite - when it is not.

View attachment Speedway Gasket Set Issues.pdf
 
The 'Best Gasket' brand is what you're looking for - they have full-engine gasket sets as well as a host of smaller items/sets. Their standard and BigBore sets can come with either a copper head gasket, or a GraphTite head gasket. Their big-port intake gaskets are what I always use - then I port them further. LOL

http://bestgasket.com/engine_catalog_make.asp?Make=Ford-Mercury

Speedway has created their own 'clone' gasket sets that they show as either 'GraphTite' or 'Graphite' -- they are NOT the same as Best Gasket's stuff - they are a far inferior copy. I went through multiple issues with them and sent them back (as I thought I was ordering Best Gasket stuff) - they refunded my money. When I let their people know about the issues their comment was "we've sold hundreds, nobody complained before" -- I let them know that maybe they didn't know enough to complain, but I do.

Attached is the document that I sent to Speedway - it covers some of my issues. Again - they refunded my money . . . but I still don't like how they're site makes you think it is a Best Gasket GraphTite - when it is not.

View attachment 306640


my question is... which is better graphite or copper?? the graphite seemed to work fine?? thanks for the heads up on speedway... they were never in the running. i hate their branded anything....
 
Back
Top