So i really need to get this toronado tackled, its starting to get to me that i cant get this darn thing to run right and things just keep getting worse.

For starters, i replaced the lines to the power steering pump after removing it completely along with its brackets because it was steadily leaking its fluid. After putting everything back together, its leaking just as much.

Problem two, ive been noticing my coolent slowly diminishing and i was afraid to pay attention to much as i wasnt sure where it was going and didnt think i wanted to know quite yet, but i did discover some coolent in the bottom of the fan housing and a drop hanging from a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. I have seen no oil in the coolent.

And last but definitely not least. I went to start the Toronado this afternoon, at approximately 5pm, neither hot nor cold out. The car barely wanted to start and after wrestling with the gas a second it started to chug to life. Sounded like a locomotive. I open the hood and theres a decent amount of smoke around the rear passenger side of the engine coming up. As the smoke started to clear out the engine also started to steady out a bit.

This car is not running healthy whatsoever, even the trans isnt smooth as it should be. I mean my Custom Cruiser has the 307 as well and sails so smooth. Compared to the CC, the toronado doesn't even feel like its condition is stable.

If anyone has any ideas or can point me in the right direction to start disassembling, please do because ive spent so much time doing work that yeilds no results im beginning to get fed up... Oh, and thanks in advance!

 

What year Tornado? Sounds like the water pump is leaking at the weep hole. Is there a flapper valve on the exhaust? Could be sticking. Check vacuum lines condition and check the choke setting, carb may need rebuilt. Make sure the TV cable is set as well.

 

Its a 1985, and i was beginning to suspect the water pump.

Im not entirely sure where to look for this flapper valve, im assuming its somewhere along the exhaust right? And i will say there is a small hole in the exhaust line connecting to the pvc valves and all that that connects to the extra little line going to the cat.

Is there any way to set the tv cable correctly other than just driving every time i fiddle with it? Because when i change the position of the cable it doesn't seem to make things much better. I still have to let go of the gas in order for it to shift on time and it feels as if the car is pulling itself into the next gear. I really dont know how to explain it other than it takes much longer to complete the act of switching gears than my CC does.

The massive difference in drivability between the two almost makes me think im hurting it when i drive it as it just doesnt feel as smooth as butter like the wagon.

Im really startting to get frustrated.. Im pretty close to taking it to a trans shop just to see if im missing something but id really like to figure this out myself

 

I assume that is the OD transaxle? Crank the throttle open by hand, hold it there and push the button on the TV cable. That is the proper method. The flapper valve is right on the bottom of the passenger side manifold. Spray the linkage with a good penetrating/lubricating fluid. Any exhaust leak can make a motor sound like rougher running.

 

Thank you very much sir, and actually i discovered a leak in the exhaust which is in a peculiar place. I believe at one point something was connected there.

I also think another problem causing my symptoms is a bad choke pulloff valve. I operated it by hand when starting the toro this morning and it started smooth as butter

The pic i attached shows the leak in the exhaust.

 

Make sure it is properly adjusted, sounds like not opening enough if anything. Yes, a blown choke pull off will cause the exact symptoms you mentioned. Pull the hose and put your finger on the hole in the end tightly. Push the diaphragm in, it should stay in place. If it doesn't or slowly retracts, it is blown. Also make sure the hose is on tight. I use small zip ties to hold it on as I have had issues with the hoses leaking due to being too big or stretched.

 

Ive been fiddling with the carb, and it seems differently adjusted than the carb on my station wagons 307. I cant remember what its called, but the little diaphragm on the front driver side of the carb is the object i wish to know about. There is a screw preventing the toronados throttle cable arm to lean against this bolt coming out of the diaphragm, however on the station wagon its loose enough that it does in fact extend onto this bolt coming out of the diaphragm. The toronado idles high and i believe this to be part of the reason.

What is the proper setup? Should it be leaning against the bolt or not?

Also, do you know what used to plug into the now empty space on the exhaust in the picture i attached?

 

That is the idle stop solenoid, sounds burnt out. Is there a wire attached? You can adjust that bolt in with a wrench for now. That solenoid increases idle with the A/C on.

 

The picture on the left is the toronado, the right is the custom cruiser

 

Yes, that is the idle stop solenoid.

 

Well i was confused on which one is set up correctly, the custom cruiser is touching while the toronado is not. There is a screw with a spring around it agains the carb that prevents the toronados from touching while the custom cruisers is backed enough in that it doesnt interfere.

 

Are you talking about the little screw right close to the carb body? That is the throttle adjustment. To lower your idle, turn the screw counter clockwise.

 

Thats the one, but what im asking is should it be loosened enough to allow the throttle cables arm to be touching the idle stop solenoid like on the right picture or should it hold the throttle cable arm just above the idle stop solenoid like on the left picture?

 

What is your Tornado idiling at? All depends if it is still working properly. If it is functioning and loosening it that much doesn't make the idle too low, it will work.Turn on your A/C and watch for movement.