5KCSTQ:runnability problems -update

[Randall Paquette <qpilot@netscape.net>]

Folks,
A bit of an update to my dreaded problem previously posted and described
below.
The temp sensor on top of the waterboss appears ok - reads about 60ohms when
warm.  The o2 sensor is generating around .5 volts and fluctuating when warm
and disconnected from the controller.  Duty cycles seem strange (I have never
checked before so have no baseline to compare to).  Car cold start - dudty
cycle about 50% and steady.  Engine warm at idle-fluctuating around 75%. 
Throttle up to 2000rpm and duty cyce drops to 30% and when returned to idle
slowly creeps back to 75%.  Funny thing happens, though.  If I really give it
some willy (4000rpm) and let up on the throttle, car may not return to idle
good at all (will then continuously stumble until restart with duty cycle
around 50%).  If I remove the sensor connector at the top of the water boss,
the car immediatley stalls, then in virtually impossible to restart (with
connector re-attached).  My initial guess is that I'm running rich, AND that
when the rpms go high enough, the car enters some further version of closed
loop control and some sensor is causing a prollem.  Hope this helps some of
you gurus with some ideas....  BTW, what size allen wrench do I need to
fabricate to adjust the fuel dist?
----------------
I'm having a problem with my 86 5KCSTQ (168,000miles).  Its a rough idle,
stumbling problem that has progressivly gotten worse over the past few weeks. 
I'll describe the symptomology, relate what I've done, and exporess my plans
if noone has any suggestions.
It starts hard.  Only starts easy if its been less than 10 minutes or longer
than 4 days.  In those circumstances, it fires right up.  Otherwise crancks
for 20 seconds or so.  Lately, though, the idle has started dropping,
requiring me to blip the throttle to keep from stalling - if stalled, have to
pull off the road and it can take 10 minutes to pry it back to life.  It
sometimes idles ok, sometimes won't hold the idle.  Sometimes develops full
boost and sometimes stumbles.  It also seems to be running rich, smells rich
and during my recent examinations, has spewed gas out the tail pipe on the
driveway.
What I've done:  ran the diagnostics, no problems detected and all things that
are supposed to run (valves, fuel pump, etc) do.  Used the dreaded propane
vacuum leak test - to no avail.  Idle stabilizer cleaned and tested.  Throttle
idle/full throttle switch tested.  Recent new OXS installed.
What I'm planning on doing: Remove cat converter - if plugged, what can I use
to coerce the inards to break up and fall out?  I'd like to adjust the
mixture.  I don't have a long enough 3mm tool to reach (any suggestions?) nor
do I have a duty cycle meter (have old dwell meter if that helps).
As I live over 100 miles from a dealership, any help would be greatly
appreciated!!!!!  Please reply direct to me as I'm still using temporart
e-mail accounts.  Thank you all.
Regards,
Randy Paquette
QPILOT@NETSCAPE.NET

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