My 68, 302 with an MSD ign was running great the last two years. Then on a drive, it started mildly surging, on the freeway. Then when I got off and stopped, it was idleing and running very roughalso. I have a clear fuel filter, and it seems to be getting enough gas. I took the cap off the dist, and it looks like it has very small metal dust around the contacts. Could this be causing my problem??

Thanks

 

The surging sounds like a fuel system issue or vacuum leak. If the contact set is worn out or out of adjustment, I would upgrade to an electronic ignition system and be done with it. I was working on my 289 had a cutting out problem, maybe a surging problem. When the engine was idling it was ok, but when my foot opened the throttle, the engine would surge, sputter and act like it was going to quit running. Found out I had a fuel fump going out. R&R the pump, problem gone.
Jeff
ASE-Engines

 

I was originally thinking fuel, and did notice that after I had it out for a drive, when I came back to the garage, I looked at the clear fuel filter, and it looked like it did not have as muchrunning through it as it normally does. The car barely idles without giving it some gas, and when I do give her some gas, it runs very uneven, pulseing or surging. I don't think it's a vac leak, as it just stated with no warning and I checked the obvios stuff on the carb, brake booster, etc.

Thanks

 

Sounds like a fuel pump to me.

Might also check to see if the timing moved.

 

It does sound suspiciously like a vacuum leak. Grab a can of brakleen and lightly spray it around the intake and carb gaskets and any vacuum connections. If the rpm picks up, there's your vacuum leak.

Also check the obvious stuff, timing, plugs, wires, cap, etc.

 

+1 on the Brakleen to search for a vacuum leak, gaskets don't last forever. Also +1 on the obvious stuff. It does sound like it may be a fuel issue though, with those clear filters it should be nearly full up with fuel. Is it a Holley? If so you could unscrew the sight plugs and see what the fuel level in the bowl is, if it's low then the pump is bad or you have a clog somewhere in the system, or possibly a float/needle valve problem

 

Any way to test the pump??

 

Fuel pressure gauge or sight plugs on Holley/Demon

 

You can check the pump by removing the line to the carb and directing it into a20oz bottle then firing the car up. I can't recall the proper time, but it shouldn't take very long at all to fill up the bottle. Maybe 10 seconds, plus or minus? Just make sure you have someone in the car to kill it before you fill the bottle.

 

I just ran her for a while, still starts and revs up but still has the surging. The clear fuel filter is down lown before the pump. It has a large air bubble it it when its running, and seems to stay there while reving.. If I out a gauge in the line, that shoul d show the pump fluctuating right??