Dick, You are not alone and I'll defend these cars as well. I have had
problematic cars, but my 81 has been without trouble since I bought it about
thirteen years ago. I did have to put a new trans in it, but no EFI
problems. Out of all these cars I have owned, about thirteen of them, I've
been able to straighten out any problems and the people who purchased them
have never come back to me for help. As far as I know they are still running
fine. Most of these cars I have come across in the junkyards have been
carbureted. Keep em EFI if you can. Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 9:21 PM
Subject: IML: 80's starting problems
> The converted cars are basically standard 318 powered cars such as the New
> Yorker or 5th Avenue from the early to mid 80s. Thus they have their own
> set of problems, but most of those are due to the limitations of
carburetion
> (and the "spark control") in that era brought about by epa rules.
> Typically, they are somewhat balky in cold weather, and they don't produce
> the mileage of the EFI cars. They are certainly easier to keep running,
as
> just about all mechanics are very familiar with the cars.
>
> The EFI cars have advantages some of us are pleased with, and we are
willing
> to put up with the possibility of service problems due to the dealer and
> other mechanics not being at all familiar with the cars. The usual
defense
> against these problems is to learn how to keep them running ourselves. In
> my experience (I've had 3 EFI cars and one converted car), the occasional
> frustrating problem is well worth the extra effort it sometimes involves.
>
> As for durability and reliability, I'll cause a storm of protest with the
> following, but in my experience, the EFI cars, once straightened out, are
> rock solid reliable - we've driven ours all over the country and never had
a
> breakdown on the road. And we've never had to deal with a screwed up
> carburetor or a stuck choke either.
>
> Also, we've enjoyed 23 MPG plus (sometimes 25, and on one occasion, I got
> way better than that, in an attempt to see just how good it would do - at
50
> MPH on cruise, admittedly slightly downhill, and perhaps with a slight
> tailwind, I carefully topped up in Carson City NV, then drove to Fallon
NV,
> topped up again, both times letting the automatic click-off stop the
pump -
> I got 44 MPG!)
>
> But usually on trips, I drive between 75 and 80 MPH, and I average about
> 22-23 - this includes quite a bit of mountain driving, but very little
city
> driving. Around town, I average about 18.
>
> Now, I'll duck!
>
> Dick Benjamin
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Larry Noska" <lnoska@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 7:41 PM
> Subject: RE: IML: My new '82
>
>
> > As I have an 82 any and all starting problems interest me. Are the
> starting
> > problems just with the cars that haven't been converted??
> >
> > Dads 82
> >
> > Lawrence R Noska
> > lnoska@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Hauser, ID 83854
>
>
>
>
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