while my car is running, it sounds like there is a squeak in the area of the intake manifold. i think it's a vacuum leak or something, maybe a busted diaphram. any ideas? my car isn't really running right which is why i ask... just troubleshooting...

Jason,

Your explaination is pretty vauge! If you can be more specific, assisting you may be easiers. When going through this exercise, you have to make sure you have covered all the basic tune-up things like timing, plugs, valve adj., etc., etc. If you think you have a vaccum leak, try spraying someting like starter fluid (remember its flamable) around the manifold gasket area. If the RPM increases when you spraying the starter fluid, you've got a leak. Now comes the fun parts...fixing it!!!

^^ yeah, sorry so vague. it's like a little repetitive squeak kinda thing right around the little vacuum thingys (great explanation i know!) on the top of the intake manifold. i don't have photoshop or anything, but it's those 2 vacuum things above the front SU...

*edit* "and now for something completely different" (well not really) also, i think one of my carbs is messed up. i was emptying the old damper oil out of them and i noticed that when i pushed down on the piston while it was upside-down, one of them popped back up and one of them didn't. i thought something could be wrong there, and i didn't want to start ANOTHER thread... seems like i've been making a bunch recently...

for one thing DO NOT SPRAY STARTER FLUID ON A RUNNING ENGINE !!! That stuff is ether and you will vary vary likely set the engine on fire. By some carberater cleaner and spray this around any thing that you suspect is leaking vacume , of cource while the engine is running. This stuff is non flammable. There will be a change in idle if and when you spray on the leak. Why were you dumping out the oil in the carbs , there is no need to change this unless it is contaminated. The cause of he piston sticking is mostlikely cause by some dirt cought on the piston and jaming it in the cylinder. Another good use for the cleaner. With the carb right side up , lift the piston and let it drop . It should fall with a clunk when it hits the bottom . If this is not the case remove the dome and CAREFULLY lift the piston out being careful of the needle and the spring . Clean the crud off the piston and inside the cylinder. Reassemble , do not swap any parts . Clean one unit at a time. use 20wt oil in the damper for best all around results.

At this stage in the lives of 30 something year old SUs, a good general cleaning is needed. A lot of "issues" can be overcome just by getting them cleaned out.

Our Just SUs video is a great tool for doing this if anyone is uncomfortable tackling the job cold turkey.... www.ztherapy.com

i was changing the oil because the PO put ATF in there, i was getting some higher viscosity oil in there because i was having a lean condition off of idle.

bruce, i am planning on placing my order for the "just SUs" and "tune up" videos later this week. do you still have that deal up where i can get both for like $30?

The 2 tape deal for $30 is still good....

awesome.......