Engine problem
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 240
From: Belgium, Europe
Engine problem
My 289 V8 is a first time starter, but whenever i put her in gear (drive or reverse) she starts to sputter and then stalls.
What could cause this. Where should i start looking ? What could cause this. Who can give me some pointers ?
What could cause this. Where should i start looking ? What could cause this. Who can give me some pointers ?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,212
From: Hills of California
RE: Engine problem
does it run smooth in park? In park can you rev it up to 3k at any rate and not have a problem?
Is idle speed high enough?
There could be a vacuum leak from some spot on the carb listen for hissing sounds from that area. If you have propane (like one of those large size torches) start the car and run the raw (dont light it) propane around the base of the carb and any hoses connecting to it as well as any vacuum ports that are intentionally blocked off. If the engine changes speed there is a vacuum leak in that area.
Also check your low speed (idle) jets on your carb if they are too far in that may cause a problem as well. Turn them in and count how many turns it takes to seat them. Usually two turns out should provide a mix close enough for a decent run.
Gun
Is idle speed high enough?
There could be a vacuum leak from some spot on the carb listen for hissing sounds from that area. If you have propane (like one of those large size torches) start the car and run the raw (dont light it) propane around the base of the carb and any hoses connecting to it as well as any vacuum ports that are intentionally blocked off. If the engine changes speed there is a vacuum leak in that area.
Also check your low speed (idle) jets on your carb if they are too far in that may cause a problem as well. Turn them in and count how many turns it takes to seat them. Usually two turns out should provide a mix close enough for a decent run.
Gun
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,566
From: Marquette Mi
RE: Engine problem
In addition to Gun Jam, older cars take a bit more finesse to keep running. Modern injected engines will start, run and drive very smoothly, almost like they are electric powered. A carb isnt as precise, and will sometimes need the throttle feathered, meaning you pump the gas pedal very slightly. You dont need to floor it, just add a bit more gas and it will run ok. Most people have forgotten that about older cars, and younger people who never drove an old car wont know.
If you take the time to learn about the carb and how to adjust it, you can nullify most of the issues inherent with them. Vacuum leaks are a big problem as far as driveability, so is the choke setting, idle speed, idle mix, timing, torque converter, and cam specifications just to name a few. Check for the vacuum leak and get any fixed that you find. If you dont find any, its all in the tune and quite often factory settings wont cure the prolem with 30-40 year old parts.
If you take the time to learn about the carb and how to adjust it, you can nullify most of the issues inherent with them. Vacuum leaks are a big problem as far as driveability, so is the choke setting, idle speed, idle mix, timing, torque converter, and cam specifications just to name a few. Check for the vacuum leak and get any fixed that you find. If you dont find any, its all in the tune and quite often factory settings wont cure the prolem with 30-40 year old parts.
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,565
From:
RE: Engine problem
ORIGINAL: THUMPIN455
In addition to Gun Jam, older cars take a bit more finesse to keep running. Modern injected engines will start, run and drive very smoothly, almost like they are electric powered. A carb isnt as precise, and will sometimes need the throttle feathered, meaning you pump the gas pedal very slightly. You dont need to floor it, just add a bit more gas and it will run ok. Most people have forgotten that about older cars, and younger people who never drove an old car wont know.
If you take the time to learn about the carb and how to adjust it, you can nullify most of the issues inherent with them. Vacuum leaks are a big problem as far as driveability, so is the choke setting, idle speed, idle mix, timing, torque converter, and cam specifications just to name a few. Check for the vacuum leak and get any fixed that you find. If you dont find any, its all in the tune and quite often factory settings wont cure the prolem with 30-40 year old parts.
In addition to Gun Jam, older cars take a bit more finesse to keep running. Modern injected engines will start, run and drive very smoothly, almost like they are electric powered. A carb isnt as precise, and will sometimes need the throttle feathered, meaning you pump the gas pedal very slightly. You dont need to floor it, just add a bit more gas and it will run ok. Most people have forgotten that about older cars, and younger people who never drove an old car wont know.
If you take the time to learn about the carb and how to adjust it, you can nullify most of the issues inherent with them. Vacuum leaks are a big problem as far as driveability, so is the choke setting, idle speed, idle mix, timing, torque converter, and cam specifications just to name a few. Check for the vacuum leak and get any fixed that you find. If you dont find any, its all in the tune and quite often factory settings wont cure the prolem with 30-40 year old parts.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ShaneB26154
4.6L (1996-2004 Modular) Mustang
35
Mar 4, 2021 04:05 AM
KEM Motorworks
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
20
Aug 14, 2015 10:13 PM
HIS S-197
4.0L V6 Technical Discussions
1
Aug 10, 2015 05:47 PM
