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1983 GSL starts fine but no power

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Old 06-05-15, 04:14 PM
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1983 GSL starts fine but no power

Hello there. I just replaced the catalytic converters and removed my rats nest but I can't rev past about 5200 RPM in first gear and it takes a long time to get there. It also seems to backfire a bit when coasting down from higher rpm.

I didn't have a power problem until I replaced the coaster valve. I replaced the coaster valve bc the car was (and still is) sputtering at idle and making the distinctive honking noise from the carb. The car no longer honks with the new valve but I'm stumped at my power issue.

I've included a few photos of what I've done if that helps.












Old 06-05-15, 04:47 PM
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it may not be the solution to ALL your problems, but your secondaries are not opening. (3rd photo)
Old 06-05-15, 05:53 PM
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I called the Rotary Doctor here in Missouri and he said that it may be the secondaries as well. Unfortunately I have no idea what to do about it. I've found my Haynes manual to be of little help...
Old 06-05-15, 06:24 PM
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1983 GSL starts fine but no power

secondaries is the second set of throttle butterflys that are supposed to open for more fuel, alot like secondary fuel injectors

idk if FBs are vacuum or mechanical secondaries, so i'm not much more help
Old 06-05-15, 07:43 PM
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i'll do my best to describe what to do, just keep in mind i won't use correct technical names because i don't memorize them and i really don't feel like looking them up right now. fair?

in the 3rd photo, you will see a lever attached to the main throttle return spring. on the other end of that lever you will see it's open (like a goal post or tuning fork). look in that area for a rod that looks kinda like Mjollnir (Thor's hammer) that has a small (maybe 7 or 8 mm) nut on top of it. that rod needs to sit in the open end of the lever. they should work after that.

as set up by the factory, the secondaries are vacuum.
Old 06-05-15, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by diabolical1
as set up by the factory, the secondaries are vacuum.
aka since you played around with the vacuum lines/removed the rats nest, you may of taken the vacuum away from the secondaries, hence why you have to accelerate slow, because the carb isn't letting enough gas in for it to accelerate

you may want to also look at the FSM and see what vacuum line(s) you NEED for the carb, or else set up the secondaries to mechanical, I think I recall seeing a how-to to make them mechanical, but in my personal opinion, vacuum are better
Old 06-05-15, 09:03 PM
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Thanks diabolical I'll have a go at it first thing tomorrow and report back.
Old 06-05-15, 09:25 PM
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this thread has a photo of how yours currently are and also a photo of how they should be
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...operly-815804/

Originally Posted by lduley
aka since you played around with the vacuum lines/removed the rats nest, you may of taken the vacuum away from the secondaries, hence why you have to accelerate slow, because the carb isn't letting enough gas in for it to accelerate

you may want to also look at the FSM and see what vacuum line(s) you NEED for the carb, or else set up the secondaries to mechanical, I think I recall seeing a how-to to make them mechanical, but in my personal opinion, vacuum are better
good point. however, he should be able to hook any of the vacuum lines to it for a source. the problem is i can't remember where to hook it up to. i will do some searching and report back with whatever i find. worse comes to worst i will see if i can get one of the Gen I Nikki whisperers to have a look at this thread.
Old 06-05-15, 09:46 PM
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okay. simple enough. i can't remember where to hook it up because the vacuum passages and nipple are internal to carburetor, so i never had to.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...pening-681430/

this thread shows a good illustration of the secondaries' vacuum passages.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...daries-770378/
Old 06-06-15, 12:55 PM
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So it should look like this?
Old 06-06-15, 01:59 PM
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gutless without throttle return spring

Yeah i had same problem. Got an 83 gsl, it was missing the nut on the end of the rod. I got another, throttle is now much more responsive and secondaries work. Mpg is down now lol but fun went up
Old 06-06-15, 02:58 PM
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Well I've got power now when I floor it. There definitely a distinct surge when the secondaries kick in. It's awesome!

It still sputters a bit without the secondaries though when going easy on the throttle so I've still got something to resolve there. It also backfires quite a bit when I let off the gas so I may reconnect my new shutter valve.
Old 06-06-15, 06:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Schnoebdog
It still sputters a bit without the secondaries though when going easy on the throttle so I've still got something to resolve there. It also backfires quite a bit when I let off the gas so I may reconnect my new shutter valve.
have you tried enriching the mixture on the idle circuit?
Old 06-06-15, 07:03 PM
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I upped the idle using the adjust screw on the right as looking at it from the drivers side of the engine bay. I upped the idle from 800 rpm to 1100 rpm ms it stil sputters a lot until the secondaries kick in. When the secondaries kick in it runs real smooth.
Old 06-06-15, 07:16 PM
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that's the idle speed adjustment. it basically opens the throttle more (to a point), it doesn't change the mixture. try making the mixture richer.
Old 06-06-15, 09:13 PM
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Red face

Originally Posted by diabolical1
that's the idle speed adjustment. it basically opens the throttle more (to a point), it doesn't change the mixture. try making the mixture richer.
That's the screw on the left side then?
Old 06-06-15, 10:10 PM
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yes. you can see it in your 1st photo. if you haven't done so already, make sure your timing is right. that should be right before you start messing with the mixture.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...-screw-623893/

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...e-carb-310927/
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