I've been messing with my recently acquired 81 245. I've fixed some vacuum leaks, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter, injectors, holders, seals. Replaced the intake manifold gasket and cleaned the throttle body. Still the idle is shaky, no difference at all. Exhaust from the tailpipe feels at idle pretty even, and strong. Car runs great, plenty of power. But I can poke the motor mounts with my finger and they feel squishy, though they don't appear to be broken. Can excessively soft mounts allow the engine to shake?

Also the previous owner's smog check showed a high HC. I figured out that the CIS computer wasn't receiving the signal from the water temp sensor. I messed with the grey connectors on the firewall and now I get the same resistance reading at the computer terminal as I do the water temp sensor. Could the control unit not receiving the signal from the water temp sensor create a high HC reading?

Trying to get this cool car straightened out between work, family and the rain.

Thanks

Scott in Auburn, CA

The motor mounts should be cylindrical. If they are squished out or deformed, replace them. New ones are pretty firm.

If your CIS thinks that your engine is cold it will richen the mixture. A rich mixture will cause high hydrocarbons, as there will not be enough oxygen to burn the fuel completly.

On the motor mount question look at the location of the fan in the shroud. If the mounts are squished or collapsed the fan won't be centered in the shroud, the fan blade tips will have less clearance at the bottom of the shroud than at the top as the motor will be sitting lower.

Thanks,

Will do!