I have a new-to-me 82 GSL (rats nest/ emissions already gone) that I am looking at getting restored to good-daily-driver shape, and it has a couple of mechanical issues that I am trying to iron out.

1) It seems to be getting too much fuel in the carburetor (heavy smell of unburned gas at idle, rough/lopy idle, off-idle hesitation, etc.)- I was told by the guy I bought it from that it has an aftermarket fuel pump in it, and I suspect that it's pumping too much gas into the carb. What type/kind/brand of fuel pressure regulator should I be looking for? I am planning to check my float levels and look at the accelerator pump when I get it apart, just trying to make a plan.

2) This car is currently an automatic, and I am planning to swap to manual trans. I have everything I need to get that done, but noticed on reading the factory service manual the other day that there are a couple of little differences in the automatic and manual carburetors- are those little differences emissions related, or am I going to need to find a carb off of a 5-spd car to get it to work properly?

 

I think the only differences are that the auto carb has more vacuum ports, I think someone correct me if I'm wrong, definatley check your float. not to call you stupid but have you adjusted your air/fuel mixture? maybe a little rich? check your timing if you have a rough idle, appropriate timing also effects fuel mixture. your hesitation could definatley be a float problem. If I remember you are correct that the carb differences are emissions related.

 

I AM pretty dumb when it comes to carburetors, not afraid to admit that- I know a lot of different stuff in theory, but this is my first time getting my hands dirty on a carbureted car. We'll see how that goes.

Will check float level and timing, as well as the air mixture to see what's up there.

Thanks for the reply.

Anybody on fuel pressure regulators?

 

if he installed a really hot pump you may be able to get away with just removing the restrictor in the return line... i aint never done this but it may work...

furthermore, if you want to test if the fuel pressure is too high and causing your, look into the carb with the car in the "on" position but not running, you should see dripping fuel, even more so at idle..

 

Fuel pressure should be 3.7-4.7 lbs. I just looked up the carb the only difference between auto and manual Trans carbs is one vacuum line, Which in the manual trans carb is plugged up. I dont know if you have access to a fuel pressure gauge, but you could go to autozone and they can help with that. If your fuel pressure is within or damn close to spec than you have another problem.