Driving a sick engine and oddly enjoying it.
Well here's something you won't see much in FABO; driving impressions of a dying engine. Since the trusty slant six in my 1974 Duster is on its last legs and about to be replaced, I thought I'd mention what it's like driving an engine that's in the process of dying. Sounds morbid I know, but here goes. As you likely know, the non-original 1988 installed slant six in my Duster is on its last legs (see attached compression values). Many guys on FABO have helped me come to the conclusion that I need a new motor. The new engine, BTW, is presently at the machine shop waiting its turn to be worked. In the mean time, I'm casting caution to the wind and driving the hell out of the old engine. Let's start in the garage. Cold start is interesting. After six pumps on the accelerator, the engine starts right up on high idle with a great deal of shakiness. I'm sitting in the driver's seat watching the radio antenna waggle back and forth with all the vibration. Oddly, it settles down a bit after about three minutes on high idle, after which I kick it down to curb idle - which is also very shaky and lumpy. Backing out of the garage is interesting as it feels like the engine is about to die out, but for some reason doesn't. Once I'm driving, the exhaust leak (that the shop that incorrectly reinstalled my exhaust manifold created) starts kicking in with a booming noise. Next, it's down the entrance ramp and out onto the highway where you can really feel the poor compression (see photo). By actual measurement, zero to sixty time is 22 seconds. Ouch. Anyhow, cruising at 60 mph (once you get there) is surprisingly not bad as long as you don't try to pass a semi. Fuel economy is about the same as always - around 15 MPG. Soon it's back home where she dies in the driveway, followed by a restart and into the garage. The beauty of it all is that I don't mind flogging it as I have nothing to lose at this point. It is a testament to the durability of the slant six design. Try as I might, I simply can't kill this engine. Anyhow, that's my story and now it's your turn, so please let us know your dying engine stories. Many thanks and be well!
Well here's something you won't see much in FABO; driving impressions of a dying engine. Since the trusty slant six in my 1974 Duster is on its last legs and about to be replaced, I thought I'd mention what it's like driving an engine that's in the process of dying. Sounds morbid I know, but here goes. As you likely know, the non-original 1988 installed slant six in my Duster is on its last legs (see attached compression values). Many guys on FABO have helped me come to the conclusion that I need a new motor. The new engine, BTW, is presently at the machine shop waiting its turn to be worked. In the mean time, I'm casting caution to the wind and driving the hell out of the old engine. Let's start in the garage. Cold start is interesting. After six pumps on the accelerator, the engine starts right up on high idle with a great deal of shakiness. I'm sitting in the driver's seat watching the radio antenna waggle back and forth with all the vibration. Oddly, it settles down a bit after about three minutes on high idle, after which I kick it down to curb idle - which is also very shaky and lumpy. Backing out of the garage is interesting as it feels like the engine is about to die out, but for some reason doesn't. Once I'm driving, the exhaust leak (that the shop that incorrectly reinstalled my exhaust manifold created) starts kicking in with a booming noise. Next, it's down the entrance ramp and out onto the highway where you can really feel the poor compression (see photo). By actual measurement, zero to sixty time is 22 seconds. Ouch. Anyhow, cruising at 60 mph (once you get there) is surprisingly not bad as long as you don't try to pass a semi. Fuel economy is about the same as always - around 15 MPG. Soon it's back home where she dies in the driveway, followed by a restart and into the garage. The beauty of it all is that I don't mind flogging it as I have nothing to lose at this point. It is a testament to the durability of the slant six design. Try as I might, I simply can't kill this engine. Anyhow, that's my story and now it's your turn, so please let us know your dying engine stories. Many thanks and be well!
