What I would do is start disconnecting linkage parts until I found what was holding it open.
If I didn’t find it doing that I would make sure the throttle plates inside the carb were centered when closed.
I see frequently someone mention that a motor smokes on startup, and everyone jumps right to bad rings or valve stem seals.
Neither may actually be the case and I will tell you why.
For one, a cylinder/s that misfire suck oil up through the rings and dump that oil right into an exhaust system...
We had a 325i convertible that I wanted to swap a small block with a 5 speed into, with side pipes, roll bar, flared fenders and big ol wide tires and a blower sticking out of the hood.
Wife wouldn’t let me dangit.
Gotta take this off, so I can remove that, and be able to fix something that is actually the problem.
That and it seems like every fastener takes a different tool.
Good machines if you don’t have to work on em.
I personally don’t have a problem with China, or any other country manufacturing and selling products in the United States, as long as they don’t identify as the original manufacturer.
Look at Engine Quest for example selling Magnum heads.
They are very close to the original Magnum head, but...
Not TTI, but I put Hedman long tube hedders on my 5.9 in less than a day by myself on the ground with a floor jack and jackstands.
2 days for hedders they better be working on it between other jobs.
One of the shops I was lead at had a hanging air hose let go during the night, and since it was hanging between two cars on lifts it beat the crap outta both cars doors. (and I mean down to bare steel)
Looked like they both got shot with a giant shotgun.
Fuses are fine, and good safety...
Did you try pressing the stud up into it’s socket, then tighten it.
Its actually common for them to turn if there is no resistance on the stud.
It doesn’t necessarily mean the joint is bad.
Heck, I have used a jack to put pressure on the studs before so the stud wouldn’t turn with the nut.
This is a 65 Dart Charger with approximately 700k on it.
Belongs to one of our local Mopar group.
273 four speed.
He has 2 273’s and keeps one built and ready for when he needs it.