QuestionDick: I recently sent you an additional question, and have not heard back from you. I usually receive your answer, in about three days.
I hope I did not offend you, by not contacting you sooner, however, it has taken me some time to make an appointment with my mechanic.
Please contact me, and hopefully shed some light on the "rough idle problem I sent you the message about.
As always, I cannot thank you enough for your help.
Respectfully,
Anthony J. Vitale # 246
AnswerI recall your recent question, and I did respond immediately. Apparently the service dropped the ball - I will search my records to see if I can find the old exchange:
Here is the first exchange on the subject:
Name:Anthony J. Vitale
Subject: Rough Idle
Question -
Dick: I received your response to my last question, and have some additional info. I would like you to have.
I showed your response to the mechanic that services my 1954 New Yorker.
He continually advises me, that he feels that there is a "GASKET" leak from the gasket under the carb.
Would this type of a leak cause the problem I am having?
Is there anything I can do, to determine if there is such a leak, short of removing the carb?
I hope I am not inconveniencing you, with so many questions, but you are my only expert source.
Thanking you again for all your help, I remain,
Respectfully,
Anthony J. Vitale # 246
Answer -
Yes, there is a gasket between the carburetor and the intake manifold.
If there is a vacuum leak anywhere, it will affect the idle, so that could be the problem.
The way to determine if there is any vacuum leak without getting fancy is to remove the air cleaner, let the engine idle, and slowly move a piece of cardboard or something similar over the top of the front part of the carburetor in such a way as to partly block off the air flow down into the carburetor. As you slowly move the cardboard across the opening, listen carefully to the engine idle speed - if at any point you notice you are making the idle speed up, then you have proven that you improve the idle by blocking off some air, this is equivalent to proving that there is too much air getting into the engine, so you have proven that there is a vacuum leak.
If you want to investigate further, you can take a can of WD-40 and spray it around the base of the carburetor - when you find the leak, the engine will speed up momentarily, because the WD-40 is an excellent source of fuel. The leak can be almost anywhere, but spray all around the mounting flange of the carburetor as a first step - you might find it right away.
Your mechanic might have already done all this, or he might just be guessing - you can put your detective badge back on again and check it out for yourself!
Your questions do not bother me at all. I appreciate someone who is keeping a 51 year old car running - that is what we need in the hobby.
Here is the second in the series - it is from July 7th:
Name:Anthony J. Vitale
Subject: 1954 Chrysler New Yorker
Question -
Dick:
Please let me apologize for such a long span of time, from our last contact.
I just recently was able to determine the possible cause to the rough idle I was experiencing.
During a routine servicing, the mechanic discovered that when I step on the brake pedal, the rough idle occurs, and when I remove my foot from the brake, it goes away.
His conclusion initially was that there might be a vacuum leak in the Power Brake Booster device, however, he later thought it could be an electrical drain in the brake light or other electrical components.
I am hoping you can shed some light on this, and as always, offer a possible solution or advice, as to what you believe this problem to be.
I want you to know, that in every instance that I have contacted you for advice, you have always been completely accurate, and I have always advised my mechanic of your diagnosis, and he has always agreed with it.
Thanking you again for your courtesy and kind consideration with this matter, I remain,
Respectfully,
Anthony J. Vitale Retired Police Detective/ Shield # 246
P.S. I will be at the Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle PA this weekend to show off my 1954 New Yorker, that you have been instumental in keeping her running like a Swiss Watch. THANKS!
Answer -
I'm about 99% certain that this is a vacuum leak caused by a faulty power brake unit.
I cannot think of any electrical problem that would be severe enough to cause a rough idle, yet the vacuum leak is a common symptom of a failing power brake booster.
To sort this out for yourself, remove and plug the brake unit end of the vacuum hose from the intake manifold to the power brake unit, then step on the brake pedal with the engine running. I think you'll find the rough idle has disappeared (and if you drive the car that way, you'll have to press much harder on the brake pedal to stop!).
If this is the case, you need to remove the power brake unit and send it off to a competent rebuilder to be repaired. While I know of some vendors out here in the west who can take care of it for you, I think you can probably ask around and find one much closer to you.
A NAPA store can often send it out for you for rebuilding, also.
Many of my friends from the on line Imperial club will be at their booth at the show this weekend - if you see the booth (and the collection of Imperials and other Chryslers), you could stop by and tell them hello for me - they all know me. It's a little far for me to travel (about 3000 miles!).
These are the last two questions I received from you, with my responses. I hope I haven't missed one, but I get a reminder from the service automatically after 3 days if I miss one, and that has not occurred in recent months.
If there is a further question, please forward a second copy to me and I'll try to answer it.
Dick.
