Hey Guys I have a 74 Mercury Comet 250cu engine "single barrel carb " and there is a electric solenoid switch that holds the throttle plate open when the ignition is turned on . So how many of you take that off and put a" bolt or screw" there for idle adjustment? I think the intent of the solenoid is to keep the car from dieseling after shut down .As it lets the throttle plate close fully when the ignition is off. I think my solenoid is acting up, and if I can just do away with it, it would make me Happy, I think ordering one would be a problem at my parts store??? ,( Auto zone ) Any thoughts would be welcomed Danielle
I took my off. No need to add a bolt, just adjust your fast idle screw. The purpose of a throttle solenoid is to prevent the engine from running on (dieseling) after the ignition is turned off. Dieseling is a common occurrence with many cars using emission control systems that require a leaner fuel mixture, a higher operating temperature, and a higher curb idle speed.
Thanks Jeff I just finished taken my carb off the car . It looks like I need to rebuild it, there was a fair amount of rust Inside the carb ,( Gasoline in the North East sucks) I think the float bowl was dry and my biggest concern was the two screws holding the butterfly had the heads rusted off I am glad it didnt come off and get into the motor. So I am headed to Auto zone and see about getting a kit or rebuilt carb which ever is the best value . Also time to stock up on Stabill fuel treatment !
If you have rust inside the carb and there are screws that are rusted completely off on that Carb you aren't going to be happy with the results of a rebuild. Go look on Ebay and get yourself a good carb. Thos 1 bbl carbs can be had in new or like new condition for cheap. I got one for my 200 six cyl. for less than $50. I did a lot of auction watching to get it that cheap but you can certainly get a good 1bbl carb for $50-$75 in like new condition and I would bet you will be a lot happier than if you try to rebuild that carb that is rusted inside and out
Ethanol in todays gas will rust carburetors, tanks and lines. New cars have plastic tanks and stainless steel lines and fuel injection. Stabill will help
Alcohol is 10% in gas today. It does not rust carbs - they are aluminum or zinc, steel tanks and lines can actually benefit from the alcohol. some rubber lines can be degraded but only after many years of driving. Alcohol is a solvent. It will clean the existing rust in your system out and cause problems with clogged filters and such. If you run your tank empty then the alcohol can attract water from the air and separate from the gas which will cause the car not to run (too lean to run alcohol without the gas) but I have been running the 10% mixture for 10 years in the pacific northwest with no problems at all in both my 73 Mavericks. The 72 has rust in the fuel tank and needs to be cleaned out - the rust was there before and the gas only cleaned it up-setting it free to cause problems.
is this a stock restoration cause if not i would put a two barrel carb on it the hp gains arent that much with an adapter but the driveability gains are much better i swapped out the 1 bbl on an old chevy inline (havent done to my 250 yet) thats was about the same cid 220 i think with a motorcraft 2 bbl and that car drove much better better throttle reponse better gas milleage and felt like a little more power basic reason is at highway speeds the 1 bbl was doing its best to keep up with the demands of the motor but just couldnt quite do it, this was in a nova he went from a top end of 80 to 85 mph to hitting 110 and 115 a couple of times just give you a visual and wasnt cause of more hp it was just now simply getting the fuel it needed
Hey olskool I just read the tech article on 2bbl conversion and I might give it a try next spring. Right now I am gong to rebuild my old one barrel and drive it a couple more weeks before the snow starts falling up here in Maine, then she is going inside for the winter .
