I went to pick up my car from my storage place and when I started her up she wasn't running as good as when I parked her two days before. Like it wouldn't stay running unless you keep on the throttle or are actually moving at a decent speed, above 10mph. It ran perfect before I parked it so it's not an idle problem. I noticed the clear glass fuel filter I have that is before the fuel pump didn't have any gas in it. I couldn't remember if it is always like that or if something is clogged. And when I turn off the car some gas will start to fill up the filter. Is that normal? I also have a clear fuel filter right before the gas enters the carb and it looks a little cruddy, but it is always full of gas. The mechanical fuel pump is pretty new, only a couple years old if that.

 

Well I'm in my car right now and it will idle fine at 1600 rpm if I get it started but it won't idle at all around 800 and it dies instantly when I put it in drive. WTF?

 

just went through a similar problem. safest bet? replace both filters and get a new pump. You mght be out the door $30... and most auto stores carry the mech. fuel pumps for ours cars, so no need to order one from one of the vendors... i replaced the pump twice, pump to carb line etc trying to fgure out why my clear filter wasnt fillingt up and i was dying wth no gas, then all of a sudden i though to replaced the filter. voila.

so if you have a fairly old pump anyway, cant hurt. theyre like $20... and the filters at a couple bucks each, do yourself and your carb a favor and get it something to drink

 

I just replaced both filters and its doing the same damn thing. ****!

 

Still having trouble.... I just left the NAPA parkinglot after being there for almost two hours messing with stuff. So I got it good enough to run and drove it around a bit to see if it would run any better. NOPE. I can't accelerate from a stop or from a 20mph roll without bogging down. It just stumbles horribly and almost dies unless I let off the throttle. I didn't replace the fuel pump since it's still pretty new and I don't see why that would clog since my filter would have clogged with crap first, which it did. What now??? There is a big car show tomorrow that I'd like to go to so please help!!!!!

 

Take it home and check the timing.
Make sure all the wires are connected, leave the lights off in the garage to see if anything is grounding out.
If you have points, put a new set in the distributor.

Parking the car, coming back 2 days later and it won't run is usually the stupid tune-up type of stuff.

 

Sad part is I just tuned it and had it running great. I got my mpg up from 9 to 17-18 and the power is better. I have the Pertronix ignition and coil with 12v. I have brand new plugs and they are buring a light grey and the plug wires are only a few years old and are in great shape. I don't see why my timing would have changed overnight??

 

Light grey color on your plugs, it should look like they have a medium colored sand on them? The petronix might be the issue here imo, its been known to happen a time or two. Also if nothing else works, a carter fuel pump would be a good place to start.

 

I thought the plugs should be a light grey or light tan? What could be wrong with the Pertronix ignition coil? I did just put it in a few weeks ago so that could possibly be it. Can I check it somehow?

 

Pull the module and put the points in and see if it clears up. It is a quick thing to do.