I recently bought a 1966 coupe (2barrel, 289). I have little knowledge about engines, so please forgive my simple questions.

When I bought the car it purred. I have since had new gaskets put in the carb. Innitially it still purred, but more and more I am having rough starts, fast idle, and stalling at red lights(stalling and fast idle were on separate occasions-I tweaked the carb. screws). Well as I mentioned, I tweaked the carb screws (bad move), and I wanted to see if anyone could advise me on the proper settings for the various screws (i.e. 2 and a half turns, etc...). Also, if you answer, please understand that I don't know which screws are which (I do know which screw regulates the idle-butthat is it.)

Thanks for the help!

Matt

 

Matt it sounds to me like you have a small vacuum leak in the carb, see if you can find a place where you can feel air rushing in. you may also want to read up on carbs a little. It will be helpful also because you some day may want to put a 4bbl on it, and if its a holly your best off knowing how to tune it in advance.

 

Going off of memory here, so forgive little errors. If you take off your air cleaner(obviously), on the driver side of the car there will be two screws. The one for the idle and the one that controls your idle speed and jet. Set your idle to the appropriate speed, i have mine idleing at about 800 rpm, you can determine that with a tach or a timing light, various ways. The speed itself doesnt really matter, as long as it doesnt die and isnt excessively fast. Now for the idle(?) jet. Turn that back(I believe its counter clockwise to retard it) and when it is about to die, advance it about 1/2 turn or so. This is to control your mixture. It sounds to me as if your gaskets have just broken in and you may have a small air leak as Ian said. But the instructions above are basic tuning, if I'm telling you right, which i believe i am.(I just need to through out a disclaimer) Also, the 4 bbl intake manifold is a good idea, but it would be kind of pricey and you would want to replace the carb as well. It's my next investment for sure. If you need any more help i have the same setup, sorry if there's little mistakes but i havent tooled with it in a while. Good luck.

 

Hey, I feel your pain: I am new guy too, and to make it worse I kow little about the engines. But first thing I bought when I got my Stang was 68 Shop Manual. You can get those on Ebay from $15 to $35 depends on availibility and luck. So far for my "not too much mechanically inclined" brain it explains well in details every major system in you car. It has extensive chapter on carburators with schems, pictures, and troubleshooting guide. So consider getting one of those and it will surely help you now, and in future problems. Good luck!

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Sorry for the delay in thanking you guys. I will be trying the adjustments you posted this afternoon. another thing that is driving me nuts is leaks in the interior (most everything in the interior is new-carpet, etc...). I intended to keep the car in a garage, but it fell through. I am stuck using a car cover and have noticed some dampness and musty smell( It is driving me nuts!). I have been told to use a garden hose to find where the leaks are coming in and I think they are under the dash and the edges of the doors. How do I "plug" the leaks under the dash? Where can I purchase wheather stripping (is it the type of thing that is universal and can be cut or shaped to fit my car, or do I had to speacial order it from a Mustang place)? Anyhow, thanks for the advice!!!

Matt

 

If you find broken or missing weather stripping, you can find reproduction weather stripping at your local mustang shop, or at mustangs plusMustangs plus weather stripping

Check out the whole site they have lots of very useful repo parts. Ive been through all of the same things as you probly so id be happy to answer any other questions you have.

 

You are in for a MAJOR expensense (sorry). The cowl in front of the window is rusted out and is allowing water into the interior of the car. Dripping down on your feet? Easy way to check is to get a garden hose and run water into the cowl. If it appears on your feet, that is it. There are a few stop gap measures you can try. One is to buy a cap for the cowl. Mustangs plus makes one Part Number: 03339 for $32.95. 1-800-999-4289
That will keep the water from coming into the car. They also make a "repair kit" that, once completely dry and cleaned, you can insert a "top hat" looking plastic insert into to holes on both tha drivers side and passenger side. In the catalog they show at $69.95 per side, but I think with my local guy here I could do a lot better for you. (im not in the business...just know a few people)
This repair will require the removal of the heater box and the parking brake assembly and vent.
No biggie..I have done it a few times.

A permanent repair would require taking off the front end, cutting the cowls and rebuilding them. BIG job.

I hope that helps a bit.

Ron

I found a cheaper one here http://store.cal-mustang.com/cm_able...=2767&CATID=19
And here is the repair kithttp://store.cal-mustang.com/cm_able...TID=19&CM_SA=0