Location: Perth West Aus
Registered: November 2004
Newby needs help
Thu, 04 November 2004 02:04
I have been a bit of a lurker for a while but now I need some specific advice.
Warning. Be prepared to roll your eyes a lot at my stupidity and lack of knowledge.
I have an 81 RA40 with an 18RC engine, apart from a dent on the left rear the car is straight and has never been in an accident. The car is still in good condition for its age and is as original as I could keep it, it still has original radio and tape deck.
I pulled out all the air pump guff that attaches to the carb years ago and have had problems pretty much ever since (Go on laugh it up). So anyway the way I see it is that the mixture control is arsed up at idle because there should be all this fresh air being pumped through. Everything I have tried to do has not solved the problem, the only way to stop it from running rough is to fang the arse off it as it doesn't like any mild cruising at low speed.
I have thought how nice it would be to have an 18RG or do a conversion with a 1G but it was always put off due to lack of cash and availability of good parts. I have been looking for a carby from an earlier 18r because to my knowledge they didn't have the air pump, so should work much better on my car. I am absolutely sure this is carby related.
I would replace the carby with another make if I could find one with the right stud pattern to fit and hopefully that would work.
But now I have run out of time, my car was yellow stickered because there was no battery clamp on the battery and the engine was slightly oily. I am strapped for cash as always and the thought of putting another 18RC with no power and more rattling chains than the ghost of christmas past is not appealing.
Will the RA40 take a 20/21/22R engine as a straight swap? Is a jap import 18RG affordable, how much? I really don't have the time or patience to start fixing or modifying, I just want to get my car running properly and get it passed over the pits.
Any pointers or help would be appreciated. Or has another beautiful RA40 bitten the dust heap.