Vacuum leak solved...

["content22207" <brobertson@xxxx>]

Don't hold my feet to the fire, but I think my neverending vacuum leak
may FINALLY be solved. Both valve covers have their final torque, and
the car is idling without wavering! Driver's side did not have a
noticeable gap between timing chain cover and head mating surface, but
was sucking air anyway. Passenger side definitely did. I'm just glad
timing chain cover itself is tight (REALLY didn't want to remove back
end of car).

If you're chasing a vacuum leak as I was, check every surface, not
just intake and upper air assembly.

Related note: removed A/C compressor altogether for driver's side
valve cover. Replaced O rings this time (58 cents at the hardware
store -- what WAS I thinking). Vacuumed system and recharged this
afternoon. Holding steady @ 35 PSI (low side) and 52 degrees.
Hopefully will drop as passenger compartment cools down. Since we're
entering A/C season, my R134 methods are written up on DMCNEWS website
for like minded. Generate a lot of controversy among R12 purists, but
the way I figure: if your system isn't putting out now, what do you
have to lose? Only change is freon itself (all factory components
re-used). If you don't like R134 performance, bleed it back out and go
back to R12. Difference is about $120 (to R134's benefit)...

Bill Robertson
#5939