Not sure if I should start up this build thread when the previous owner left off (mods)? Anyway, as of August this year I am it's new owner! Getting this car from GA to MA was fun and she now has MA plates, an inspection sticker and title and a warm garage for a home.

As metioned in the classified, the car wasn't running right and, much to my dismay still needs some love. I've been busy in an effort to get things smoothed out with the engine but fixing cars is not my forte. I've had the carb off, cleaned, adjusted and reassembled it following the excellent guides out there. Ran smoke to find vac leaks and replaced hoses after finding some. Replaced Clutch master/slave and lines. I'm getting to know the 12A a little better now but still it's not right and I'm not ashamed to call for some advice ...

Today I pulled the plugs and they're sooty. I guess this is the sign of a lean condition? It seems to make sense to me because the engine runs much better when the choke is engaged than when not (richening the mix). The carb looks to be operating fine - fuel bowls 1/2 full to the line and even streams from the jets. I'm thinking that there's maybe still a vac leak somewhere which is leaning out the mix ... does this sound plausible? Also, while the plugs were out I cranked the engine over to hear the compression on each rotor - sounded like clockwork so I can assume that seals are ok in the block?

One thing maybe worth mentioning on the engine is that the shutter valve is wired open (holes plugged etc). I'm not 100% sure how this affects the engine's operation with it wired open all the time. Is this valve closed over at idle normally? If so would it not have a serious effect on the idle mixture if it were to be open at idle and drawing fuel?

Thanks to anyone who is interested in helping me in furthering the build of this stunning car.

- Joe Stearn