The V8 Owners Forum -

Hello everyone,

Thankyou for taking the time to read this. Firstly I would like to say that I have tried the 'search' option but have not had any luck.

SO...............

My Capri with a rover v8 3.5 has been in storage for 18 months (zero cash) however when I received a back payment from my employer it was time to release him. I have been turning him over every couple of months just to keep him ticking and has always started on the button. When I put this car together in 2008/9 I only drove it for about 100 miles before going into storage so I still have the 'running in' issues.

My major issue however is what I think is fuel in my oil (or bore wash). I'm thinking this due to the fact that after being run for 20 mins both breathers on the rocker covers are steaming and smell of petrol! The unburnt fuel can be smelt from the person driving behind me and the oil itself looks thin. Last week when it had its MOT I ahd the oil/filter changed and the edelbrock 500 tweaked as emissions were off the scale. However since then Im sure its still happening. The guy at the garage recons the edelbrock is too big, however I originally did my research on here and know it isnt! From memory i think my jets are 80's and 86's, however back in 09 I took it to a rolling road with a calibration kit and the dude said it was good as it was.

Im really stuck here and dont know what to do. Everytime I drive it I think im damaging it...........

Only other problem is what I think is the propshaft vibrating. Anyone else had this on a conversion?

Many thanks in advance, you advice is better than any garage in my area.

Loz

Where do you live Loz??

There are many of us on here who may be near you to help out..

My 4.6 steams from both my breathers until its red hot.

There could be many reasons for the petrol smell.

Hi, Im in Braunton, North Devon. So are you suggesting there may be nothing wrong?

One rather important thing I forgot to mention, when we originally put the engine in when running for the first time on idle the sump gasket blew. It was absolutely pouring out! and it definately had petrol in it. I changed the valley gasket to a composite one and it hasn't happend since

Thans for your quick reply!

Can you give a bit more info is it SU, Edelbrock/ Holley or injected?

To me it soulds like fuel pressure too high and flooding down the carb through the cylinder/s and into the sump.
Seen an engine that this happed to blow both valve covers off when a start up was attempted (Foed 302 and Holley) so I'd advise against starting until you have a good look and add new oil

Thanks
Ian

Not an early 3.5 with a mechanical fuel pump is it ???

Leaking diaphragm.???

Cheers Denis

Like Ian said, a bit more info on the carb would be good. The 500 carb is not too big for a 3.5 but the cruise jetting is way too rich.

I found that the 86 jets worked well as long as you fitted the 67-55 rods, this leans off the cruise about 8.3% and the acceleration by 6.3%

I'd check the fuel pressure and also take the carb apart to clean out the float valves, the float heights are usually wrong until someone adjusts them.

Pete

Loz V8 Capri wrote:Hi, Im in Braunton, North Devon. So are you suggesting there may be nothing wrong?

One rather important thing I forgot to mention, when we originally put the engine in when running for the first time on idle the sump gasket blew. It was absolutely pouring out! and it definately had petrol in it. I changed the valley gasket to a composite one and it hasn't happend since

Thans for your quick reply!

Do you think it leaked because of presure build up or maybe because the gasket had been mis shaped when tightening down.

There are a good few reasons why petrol could get into the sump Dennis has made one suggestion and Ian has made another. I had this one when my float stuck in my holley carb.

More info required on the fuel setup if you can mate.

Regards
Perry

Hello all,

Thanks for all your replies.

Carb is edelbrock/webber 500
Oil was changed 3 days ago.
Floats were adjusted 3 days ago.
Mechanical fuel pump removed and blanked.
Facet red top in boot.
Holley fuel pressure regulator and guage fitted (3.5 pressure)
Cannot remember what jets/rods in use but i used what was suggested on here before by either 'sidecar' or 'castlemgb' i think.......... i will double check jets/rods on the weekend.

Thanks again!

Loz V8 Capri wrote:Hello all,

Thanks for all your replies.

Carb is edelbrock/webber 500
Oil was changed 3 days ago.
Floats were adjusted 3 days ago.
Mechanical fuel pump removed and blanked.
Facet red top in boot.
Holley fuel pressure regulator and guage fitted (3.5 pressure)
Cannot remember what jets/rods in use but i used what was suggested on here before by either 'sidecar' or 'castlemgb' i think.......... i will double check jets/rods on the weekend.

Thanks again!

Probably 86 primaries, 67-55 rods, silver or purple springs work well.

I have worked on a few cars where the air filter lid is way too close to the top of the carb, a good indication is the length of the air filter stud.

Like other have said, the float heights can be miles out so that needs checking.

had the same problem on my car,found one cylinder not firing,you could check plugs,one might be dropping out without you noticing,
turned out after stripping the engine i had a sticking valve,giving me no compression,so the cilinder was not firing and the petrol going past the rings into the sump,
but the car ran ok just a bit lumpy on idle,always blamed ignition though
cheers Al

Thanks again for your replies. It seems that most things suggested i have already taken care of. The only thing i havent checked is what Al has said, so I guess I shall check all my plugs. Would a failed head gasket possibly cause this? Just wondering if i should go for a compression test? Changed my oil yesterday and it stank of petrol (oil only 2 weeks old) so its a serious problem. Just dont want to stick it back into storage for another 18 months!

Cheers All!