Robert, The FI pump gap determines how rich the engine will run. When it is cold, the gap can be as big as 3/8". As the engine temps rises, the fluid in the TA expands and pushes on a plunger inside the FI to close the gap. Over time the TA won't expand as much as before and the gap will increase and that is when you will need to readjust the gap.
I had a rebuilt TA from Wes which required that I use washers to get the proper gap for the TA's "piston" protruded too far to be compensated by the adjustment screw in the FI. Over time, I've had to remove the washers to obtain the proper gap. Run your Spider for several tanks and see if you MPG improves. Bruce '73 GTV > Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:26:34 -0700 > From: Robert Watson <[email protected]> > Subject: [alfa] 69 Spider Fuel Consumption > > Hi All, > > I have a 69 spider 1750 that is tuned well and runs nicely. The problem is > all of a sudden I am getting 16 mpg, when I had been getting 20-24 before. > I > have checked all the easy and obvious stuff. The FI pump is a rebuilt from > Wes > Imgram only about 20K miles ago. I check the gap in the Thermostatic > Actuator > and it was to big and adjusting the screw underneath did not help. I had > some > washers shimming the TA up (as it is a 69 that is how I was have had to get > enough of a gap). So, I removed the washers and now the gap is correct > again > when hot. Could the fact that the TA has changed enough for me to need to > make this adjustment mean that could be the problem? I had TAs go out > before > and the mixture was rich and sooty when hot and I could not get the correct > gap. I have the correct gap with this one when hot and it does not seem > rich > or sooty. > > Thanks for any ideas or Advice > > Robert Watson > 69 Spider > Novato, CA -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
