Fuel System: 63 Avanti - R2 more questions

[ken-renda]

Just about ready to start engine but have two questions:

1. Can the valve covers be removed (clearance looks awfully tight to later adjust valves) with the brake buster installed; and

2. The supercharger overhaul is late, should the 1/4 inch connection from the fuel pump to the charger be closed off until such time as supercharger arrives?

Everything else is ready to go. Ken, Deltaville, Va

[jlmccuan]

I could remove mine, but it was a twisting rotating movement rather than a straight lift off.

That line is the pump's boost reference. You run with it not closed off as it functions as the vent.

[Colgate Studebaker]

Ken, when I did my brothers 63 R2, I set the valves cold vs. running. I am able to get the v.c. off, but as Jim said i have to roll and twist it a bit. The advantage to setting the valves cold is avoiding the mess and difficulty with the engine running. The job turned out great, and after running the engine for a few days, I pulled the vc's and checked the headbolts and the setting on the valves again. I highly recommend the re-check of those two items as some headbolts did tighten up with the re-torquing. As for the vacuum line, I presume you are asking because you want to fire it up to set the valves, without the supercharger on the car. If that is the case, yes I'd plug the line just to be safe. Good luck, B.V.

[jlmccuan]

Plugging the line essentially is the same as plugging the vent on a regular pump. Leave it open. If you worried about something getting in, put a shop towel or something over it.