well i just got my car back together about 3 days ago after replacing the intake gasket again. the car has real problems starting, takes about 5 tries to get it to crank and then it wont idle until its warmed up. My a/f rotio guage says the car is running lean just off throttle, but the exhaust smells like it is runnign really rich. THe wire to the coolant sensor that is located on the water outlet pipe broke and i havent had the time to reconnect it yet. I really dont think I have Any vacuum leaks. i was wondering, does he oxygen sensor contribute more to a/f ratio at partial or wide open throttle. anyway, any thoughts would be greatly appriciated. by the way I had the intake surface that mates to the block resurfaced, it was warped.
thanks

 

To answer your question first, the Oxygen sensor has no effect on mixture at idle and WOT. It is only used on partial throttle. If your guage is indicating lean when it is running rich, you probably need a new Oxygen sensor, since this is one of the symptoms of a failing one. I would replace it as a first step, then adjust your idle mixture (ground initial set connector, adjust variable resistor for highest idle at 750 rpm).
As far as the broken wire goes, this is to a small electric fan in front of the radiator in case the coolant temp gets too high. This would not effect starting. Fuel smell could be caused by a bad coolant temp or intake air temp sensor. Check those. Also, I would check the manifold/block area to make sure it is sealed (spray with starter fluid while engine is running. Good luck!

Irv, Keith's dad