Tune Up Tips

[79_Conti_Mk_V]

I'm taking my 79 Conti out of winter storage tomorrow, and i'm looking to do some freshening up while i am in there.

I plan on yanking the carb and cleaning it out completely, and setting the ignition timing... and doing a full filters replacement.

Is there anything i should look out for?

Is there an easy way to sort through the spaghetti strings of vac lines under the hood, or would i just be better off labeling them like usual?

Thanks for the help!

-Tim- :cool:

[pro-five-oh]

Unless you have a '79 EVTM (electric, vacuum troubleshooting manual...you can find it on Ebay) you can't sort that stuff unless you know what each part is. So yes, label everything! smile.gif

The problem is that these early emissions control systems are cobbled up, I swear that there are vacuum lines that do nothing but circle the motor!

My only advice is to replace the vac lines if they appear cracked, especially the ones that feed the headlight doors. Might want to replace the fuel lines too.

[79_Conti_Mk_V]

The headlight doors won't stay closed on this car anyways... after about 15 minutes they will slowly creep open like the vacuum has bled off.

Also since i don't live in an emissions tested area, can i remove some of those vac lines as to clean the engine compartment up some?

Thanks, -Tim-

[pro-five-oh]

Yup, you need new vac lines and maybe the vac canister for the headlights is leaking. Have fun!

The other stuff can be removed, but I am not sure how much of it can be taken off without messing with the feedback carburetor. If you want to, remove all that and put a conventional carb and ignition box. I haven't done this before but it should be pretty straightforward. (fingers crossed)

[79_Conti_Mk_V]

Actually the carb on this thing, while it does have a few solenoids on it, it doesn't look like its too much different from a standard Motorcraft 2150 series 2bbl.

As for the spaghetti strings of vac line under there, i figure i can go pick up some vac line from autozone that will replace everything that is mandatory for the car to run.

I've looked for the vac canister that controls the lights online and i've yet to find a replacement part for this car. Guess thats just going to either be an Ebay find or a junkyard hopeful.

Keep the suggestions coming...i'm going to need em! :D :cool:

[Bahamajay]

I used to own a 78 Thunderbird with the hide away head lights. There was a connector mounted inline around the inner fender. This could be twisted to manually open the head light doors. I believe there is a "o" ring that dry rots and causes a slow leak also. Its been a few years but I think I just removed the faulty valve and replaced it with straight vacuum connectors. Another prime location for leaks is where the vacuum lines connect to the head light switch, although these leaks can be heard while sitting in the car. I had trimmed the end of the tubes going into the switch, lubed the tubes with a light coat of dielectric grease and secured the connection with small zip ties. These little things helped keep the headlight doors closed when they were supposed to, and stay closed for about 6 days when the car was not being used at all.

[79_Conti_Mk_V]

I should have made myself a little more clear about the headlights creeping open. This usually occurs about 15 minutes after the car has been shut down.

I've also removed some of the vac lines and little odds and ends that really served no function, as the air pump was missing, and just about everything related to emissions either not working, removed, or disabled.

The car certainly seems to be running better than ever...although i'm missing some type of plugin on the passenger side of the car, its in the wiring harness that goes to the solenoid, but its back toward the firewall..kind of near the a/c heater box.

I'll post pics in the morning to try and illustrate what i'm talking about


I also found out today that my car other than being a peice of automotive luxury history, is just a plain jane Mark V.

To this i only have to say one thing.... RestoMod!!!! :D :eek:

[ June 10, 2003: Message edited by: 79_Conti_Mk_V ]