be warned that there are more differences between leaded and unleaded petrol, than just the lead content. In particular: Octane levels.
Leaded petrol has a higher octane level than unleaded. If you want to run your car on unleaded petrol you need to do either a) Use Premium Unleaded (hi-octane) or b) have the car re-tuned to have less timing advance, and then use unleaded petrol.
If you choose option (b), you will have reduced engine power.. and by the sounds of it, it's low enough to start with. :(
However if you don't get the timing adjusted, and DO run on standard unleaded, then you risk badly damaging the engine thru premature detonation. (Probably hard to hear under the rest of the engine noise in an older car)
My advice is: Get the new cylinder head, and while you're at it, it probably won't cost much extra to get enlarged valves and ports. Immediately after getting the new head, fill the car with premium unleaded, and get it tuned up perfectly.
You should find you get noticeably more power than you had previously. If you're cheap, then go with standard unleaded, but you'll still need the retune; you can always swap to premium (and new tuneup) later.
As for the floppy gearstick: This is usually due to a worn bush on the selector forks. (It's a rubber thingo that has probably completely deteriorated by now.) Get this replaced, and the gearstick should become *much* more certain, and make driving a lot easier.
Re the door: Yes, that should just be a matter of adjusting the hinge mounts. (Assuming the slant isn't due to a warped chassis)
Re the pulling-left: My bets are on you requiring new ball joints on the front wheels, prior to a wheel alignment. (I'm assuming the steering rack is fine -you'd probably know if it was playing up) However, do check the tyre pressures are equal first.. also, if you have one of the models with the wierd alcohol-based suspension, check the levels and flush and replace with fresh fluid.
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Date: 2003-02-24 12:47 pm (UTC)In particular: Octane levels.
Leaded petrol has a higher octane level than unleaded. If you want to run your car on unleaded petrol you need to do either
a) Use Premium Unleaded (hi-octane)
or
b) have the car re-tuned to have less timing advance, and then use unleaded petrol.
If you choose option (b), you will have reduced engine power.. and by the sounds of it, it's low enough to start with. :(
However if you don't get the timing adjusted, and DO run on standard unleaded, then you risk badly damaging the engine thru premature detonation. (Probably hard to hear under the rest of the engine noise in an older car)
My advice is: Get the new cylinder head, and while you're at it, it probably won't cost much extra to get enlarged valves and ports.
Immediately after getting the new head, fill the car with premium unleaded, and get it tuned up perfectly.
You should find you get noticeably more power than you had previously.
If you're cheap, then go with standard unleaded, but you'll still need the retune; you can always swap to premium (and new tuneup) later.
As for the floppy gearstick: This is usually due to a worn bush on the selector forks. (It's a rubber thingo that has probably completely deteriorated by now.) Get this replaced, and the gearstick should become *much* more certain, and make driving a lot easier.
Re the door: Yes, that should just be a matter of adjusting the hinge mounts. (Assuming the slant isn't due to a warped chassis)
Re the pulling-left: My bets are on you requiring new ball joints on the front wheels, prior to a wheel alignment. (I'm assuming the steering rack is fine -you'd probably know if it was playing up)
However, do check the tyre pressures are equal first.. also, if you have one of the models with the wierd alcohol-based suspension, check the levels and flush and replace with fresh fluid.
Enjoy your vintage motoring :)
-Toby