Classic/Antique Car Repair/69 AMX WONT START

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Expert: - 3/21/2010


Question
THERE WAS NO AMX THERE CLOSEST WAS A MATADOR  ANYWAY  I TALKED TO A FEW PEOPLE THERE AND ONE GUY WHO BUILDS ENGINES SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE MY HYDRALIC LIFTERS MAY HAVE FAILED-- AND ARE NOT OPENING ENOUGH --FIXEN THATS OUT OF MY LEAGUE--- ANOTHER  GUY THEN SUGESSTED THAT I REMOVE THE VALVE COVERS TO SEE IF THE ROCKERS WERE GOING UP AND DOWN, THEN THE ENGINE GUY TOLD HIM AND ME THAT ---THAT WOULDN'T HELP AND THAT I NEEDED TO COMPRESSION TEST AT SPARK PLUG HOLE. THE ENGINE BUILDER GUY SEEMED TO KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKIN ABOUT. HE SAID IF THE COMPRESSION WAS UNDER A HUNDRED THEN THE VALVES WEREN'T LETTING ENOUGH AIR IN--- COMPRESSSION HE SAI NEEDS TO BE 160-180

Answer
The "hydraulic lifters failure" is an interesting notion. However, you should be about
to determine the possibility without testing...If when trying to start the car, the car attempts to start on occasions (appears to almost start), then look at the timing. If you are not getting and attempts to start, that mean NO fuel is being burned during the starting process, and that could mean either a compression problem or the timing is really off.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Vern Bullock

Expertise

Visit my website at: http://www.classytransportation.com/ I can answer most questions about autos built in the 60's 70's and 80's. Specifically, Lincolns, Rolls Royces and the Excaliburs. Mechanical issues and technical questions are my expertise. I also have a general knowledge of most older automobiles. Keep in mind, I can only provide answers if the questions are very specific and complete. Without details, I can only speculate and that's not good for solving your problem.

Experience

I have owned and maintained Silver Shadows for over 10 years now. I find most mechanics and even Rolls Royce mechanics have very little knowledge about these automobiles. I have researched these cars in quite a bit of detail and can pretty much tell you what is wrong, if you can describe the behavior in detail. I have saved quite a few RR owners a lot of money and aggravation due to improper diagnosis. I am the owner of Classy Transportation, LLC a luxury limousine service specializing in antique cars, classic cars, vintage cars and exotic cars.

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Classy Transportation, LLC Limousine Service.

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All around the Internet

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I hold a BS degree in computer science and a MS degree in mechanical engineering.

Awards and Honors
I regularly compete at car shows and average around a dozen awards annually.

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See Web site at: http://www.classytransportation.com/

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