Hello folks -
I posted this message on the "Lounge" page, but thought I might get some additional responses here:
I'm in the middle of putting on a new exhaust manifold...I got to looking around my exhaust, and noticed two small posts on the exhaust right under the carburator. I looked in my shop manual and saw that a "thermostatic spring" was supposed to be there. It says this about the spring: "On all engine tune-up jobs and also on complaints of poor performance, overheating and detonation, the operation and adjustment of the manifold heat control valve should be closely checked and any necessary corrections made."
The manual stresses the importance of this spring and its correct operation. Well, I can't even get the pin that was supposed to pivot the butterfly in the exhaust (to switch heat from the exhaust into the intake, and then back out when the intake warms up) to move. I talked to a local auto supply man (I REALLY respect his opinion), and he said that many people had that pin spot welded in the open position, because they would often stick closed, causing problems, and that seemed to be a permanant cure.
My question is....is this something that I should try to replace and fix on my truck, or should I just leave well enough alone?? I'm not sure if mine has been spot-welded, but, it is definately stuck in a position...I'm assuming the open position!
And one more question that MIGHT deal with this: My truck is running great, but, I need to let it warm up for a while (even on these 90+ degree days we're having in Missouri right now). If I DON'T, when I first take out, if I start to push the gas pedal down too much there is a loud popping noise somewhere from the motor or exhaust, or somewhere (I don't believe its a backfire). When it "pops", the motor stops for a split second, but then picks right back up where it left off. Once it does that, it seems to work just fine afterward! Does anyone have ANY idea what this might be?? :confused:
Thanks for reading, and I would appreciate any responses!!