QuestionThanks for getting back to me so quickly, Van - the ignition switch certainly makes sense as a possible contributing factor. In answer to several of your questions, when I refer to the term 'turnover' I mean it as you would: no actual ignition but there is the customary whirring sound; when I refer to 'pressure differential syndrome', it's been my experience that when different areas of a car are repaired as it gets older (particularly the engine) a pressure balance of sorts is upset if the deterioration of seals is uneven, and the problem can migrate to the most vulnerable region (in a hopefully hypothetical scenario, if I've sufficiently restored both the rear seal and the valve cover gaskets, it's not out of the question that the head gasket could go next - something of a 'domino effect', although that scenario need not be a certainty, I know (and HOPE!).....
Meanwhile, the true strangeness continues; on a hunch I asked a neighbor to jump-start me (just on the off-chance, y'know) this afternoon and damned if it didn't finally start after the battery built up a sufficient charge. But my elation was very short-lived; I realized that my 88 was suddenly running very ragged and with a HELLACIOUS vibration. Furthermore, there was some sort of smoke issuing from beneath it (didn't appear to be white, nor was there any milkiness to the oil residue on the head or on the stick - no subsequent fluids on the ground either, save for rainwater - so I'm fairly certain the head gasket is intact.....) and it might've been the fuel that was forced out by my pencil check of the injector burning off - not sure.....it wasn't the typically sweet smell of either oil or anti-freeze, either.
So, that leaves 2 possible issues, I think: either it's the harmonic balancer, in which case the smoke is being caused by friction or unnatural contact of some sort (?) or I am in dire need of a tune-up for some reason (could've probably used one anyhow, but it seemed to be running very well before last night, sooooo.....) again, thank you so much for your insights; they are very much appreciated! Jim
P.S. Apparently there's a character limit on this site, so I was orced to delete both the original question and your reply; if you need me to send it to you, just let me know.....
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AnswerIf rain and humidity seem to have a great effect on the running of the engine, it sounds like electron leakage, specifically spark detouring to the wrong place.
I am not a great fan of WD-40 as a penetrating fluid or lubricant, since it seems to dissappear rather quicker than i like, but it is a great water displacer.
Lots of people don't know that it was orriginally developed for just that purpose.
it is actually the 40th attempt at the perfect compound for displacing water in electronic situations, and that is where the name WD (water displacement) - 40 (recepe #40).
Use some of it liberally around the ignition wires, distributor cap and rotor area. Even inside.
Charge the battery, check for vacuum leaaks, and try it again.
Good luck,
Van
