Car not starting and running well, trying to isolate problem.

[turbotwo]

I'm having a hard time starting the car. A few weeks ago it was
starting every time. Although it isn't running well, it was running.
It revs up but hesitates and misses, as if its not getting enough
fuel or too much fuel. But now it's very difficult to start and there
is quite the gas smell from the engine compartment. I pulled the
spark plugs right after it was running for 5 minutes and the drivers
side plug was black with carbon soot (like dust), it was easily
cleaned but still remained dark after cleaning. The passenger side
spark plug was very shiny/glossy wet with fuel, it was very clean
besides being soaked with fuel. When I try to drive the car it barely
has enough power for 1st gear. It feels like a car that is running
out of gas or when a catalytic converter is all plugged up. Here are
several things about the car that may help diagnose.
- It was sitting in my dad's garage for the last 13 years. Just
started working on it. Did all the standard stuff before first
starting it like draining/replacing oil/fuel.
- Recently I have replaced plugs (NGK B8ES), coil, points, condenser,
fuel filter, battery, battery cables, starter.
- When I screwed the plug boot connectors onto the new wires of the
coil I made sure there was good contact
- Car seems to flood very easily, maybe I need to replace the spark
plugs again.
- I have also adjusted the points gap, adjusted the valves, adjusted
the timing
- Tested the compression. Both cylinders at exactly 150psi. I think
the spec is 178psi, but at least they're both the same.
- Tested flow rate of fuel by timing how long it takes to fill an 8
oz. cup. According to specs in manual the fuel flow rate is good.
- While running I hear a knocking noise internally, like a rod knock.
- I have the Honda shop manual and owners manual so i'm trying to get
familiar with the car.
My feeling is the carburetor should be rebuilt. It doesn't really
hold idle, even with the choke pulled out and fully warm. I don't
quite know how to adjust it except for the idle speed and idle mixture
screw, which doesn't seem to make a difference. Sitting for 13 years
the carburetor is probably all gummed up. Why the extreme difference
in spark plug appearance? Valves? I was thinking maybe the passenger
side plug isn't firing but if that was the case wouldn't it not run at
all? Thanks in advanc for any help?
-Henry

[dustyspath]

Two cents worth:
It sounds like the valves to me because the spark plugs are so different. Let us know what you find, Marshall wrote:

> I'm having a hard time starting the car.  A few weeks ago it was > starting every time.  Although it isn't running well, it was running.
> It revs up but hesitates and misses, as if its not getting enough > fuel or too much fuel.  But now it's very difficult to start and there > is quite the gas smell from the engine compartment.  I pulled the > spark plugs right after it was running for 5 minutes and the drivers > side plug was black with carbon soot (like dust), it was easily > cleaned but still remained dark after cleaning.  The passenger side > spark plug was very shiny/glossy wet with fuel, it was very clean > besides being soaked with fuel.  When I try to drive the car it barely > has enough power for 1st gear.  It feels like a car that is running > out of gas or when a catalytic converter is all plugged up.  Here > are > several things about the car that may help diagnose.
> - It was sitting in my dad's garage for the last 13 years.  Just > started working on it.  Did all the standard stuff before first > starting it like draining/replacing oil/fuel.
> - Recently I have replaced plugs (NGK B8ES), coil, points, condenser, > fuel filter, battery, battery cables, starter.
> - When I screwed the plug boot connectors onto the new wires of the > coil I made sure there was good contact > - Car seems to flood very easily, maybe I need to replace the spark > plugs again.
> - I have also adjusted the points gap, adjusted the valves, adjusted > the timing > - Tested the compression.  Both cylinders at exactly 150psi.  I think > the spec is 178psi, but at least they're both the same.
> - Tested flow rate of fuel by timing how long it takes to fill an 8 > oz. cup.  According to specs in manual the fuel flow rate is good.
> - While running I hear a knocking
> noise internally, like a rod knock.
> - I have the Honda shop manual and owners manual so i'm trying to get > familiar with the car.
> My feeling is the carburetor should be rebuilt.  It doesn't really > hold idle, even with the choke pulled out and fully warm.  I don't > quite know how to adjust it except for the idle speed and idle mixture > screw, which doesn't seem to make a difference.  Sitting for 13 years > the carburetor is probably all gummed up. Why the extreme difference > in spark plug appearance?  Valves?  I was thinking maybe the passenger > side plug isn't firing but if that was the case wouldn't it not run at > all?  Thanks in advanc for any help?
> -Henry
'88 Plymouth Sundance 2.2l
Used-to-drive: Chrysler Simca 1204
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