Lancia 1600 8v fuel consumption problem

[lancia fiesta]

Hi, I have a Lancia 1600cc 8v engine in the rear of my Ford Fiesta. I have just got it on the road and the fuel economy is shocking, 18 miles on 30 litres of fuel.

Needless to say I feel this is a little excessive, and feel the performance is suffering some what.

Its running a Facet Red Top pump (7.5psi on guage), feeding some twin 40 Dellortos (sp), with no fuel return.

If this is a correct set up how can I turn the fueling down a bit, as it pops and sneezes through the carbs, fouling the plugs with black sut and very thirsty.

Any help appreciated.

Brian

[Guy Croft]

Brian, hi

that setup does have a basic problem, the Facet Red Top produces enough pressure to lift the float needles off their seats. this causes constant flooding with all the problems of pkug fouling and backfiring you've described.
I have experience of this, even with a Red Top in the boot feeding 44IDF on a highly tuned TC I had to use a Filter-King regulator to get the pressure down to the required 4 psi running pressure and it never worked well I can say, either too rich at the top end or too rich low speed, I was 'at it' all the time with the pressure gauge trying to get it right and in the end junked the regulator and the pump. A Red Top is only for a full race 2 liter TC unit doing 5000rpm plus all the time on the track.

My best advice is buy a Facet Silver Top interrupter pump, you won't need the competition spec one. That pump won't upset the floats, needs no calibration or regulator.

See how that works and report back for more guidance if required. I'd be pleased to see the odd picture of this car, GC Q&A is always short of good and interesting photos to illustrate to members the thing under discussion.

GC