65 Mustang - keeps on cutting out
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
Hoping for a bit of help! I've got a '65 Mustang with a refurbished engine but it keeps on cutting out. I would be the first to admit that I am nowhere near as competent as I should be mechanically but think it's something to do with the carburrettor.
When I start the car up it normally starts up for 4/5 seconds and then cuts out. This normally happens four or five times before it stops cutting out. However, if I then try to pull off it will cut out again. I generally have to leave the engine turning over for around 20 minutes before it stops cutting out. It will then normally run fine, but does have a habit of occasionally cutting out whilst trying to pull off at traffic lights etc...
Has anyone else had this kind of problem? And know what the solution might be? I'm hoping it's not a big problem and something that I won't have to spend a lot of cash on fixing!
Any help/advice would be much appreciated,
Nick
Hoping for a bit of help! I've got a '65 Mustang with a refurbished engine but it keeps on cutting out. I would be the first to admit that I am nowhere near as competent as I should be mechanically but think it's something to do with the carburrettor.
When I start the car up it normally starts up for 4/5 seconds and then cuts out. This normally happens four or five times before it stops cutting out. However, if I then try to pull off it will cut out again. I generally have to leave the engine turning over for around 20 minutes before it stops cutting out. It will then normally run fine, but does have a habit of occasionally cutting out whilst trying to pull off at traffic lights etc...
Has anyone else had this kind of problem? And know what the solution might be? I'm hoping it's not a big problem and something that I won't have to spend a lot of cash on fixing!
Any help/advice would be much appreciated,
Nick
Sounds like the auto choke might not be working, might be worth fitting a manual one as a quick fix to see if it makes a difference. Fuelling might be slightly out too if it cuts out when warm on light load, so a tune up by someone who knows how to adjust the carb is probably worthwhile.
Does it idle slow? Try upping the idle speed a little as a first thing as it isn't good to have an engine keep stalling. It's simple to do that by turning a little screw that's on the carb at the end of the throttle linkage. If it's an auto then it should just "creep" when fully warmed up and in gear, with no throttle or brakes.
You could also try a little more fuel through the idle circuit of the carb (normally a screw pointing diagonally down into the carb but depends on the carb). Most other fueling changes will require changes to jets etc.
Pull a plug after a run - what does it look like, should be a beige/tan colour. White is too lean, black too rich. However, lead free doesn't seem to leave as obvious a "colour" as leaded used to.
If the engine has been refurbed did you uprate it but leave the same carb (would lead to running lean normally)?
Sorry if that's all too elementary but you did say you were "nowhere near as competent as you should be". Have you done the others basics (timing etc.)? What makes you think it's the carb?
Check the fluid level if it's an auto box as low fluid can cause stalling - did on my '65 when it developed a leak anyway. Remember to check with the engine running and even better if it's been on a run and warmed up (put it in each gear for a second before checking).
Anywhere with a gas meter (e.g. MOT station) should be able to tell you if you're running rich or lean. Maybe a rolling road session would be worthwhile to get the new engine set up?
You could also try a little more fuel through the idle circuit of the carb (normally a screw pointing diagonally down into the carb but depends on the carb). Most other fueling changes will require changes to jets etc.
Pull a plug after a run - what does it look like, should be a beige/tan colour. White is too lean, black too rich. However, lead free doesn't seem to leave as obvious a "colour" as leaded used to.
If the engine has been refurbed did you uprate it but leave the same carb (would lead to running lean normally)?
Sorry if that's all too elementary but you did say you were "nowhere near as competent as you should be". Have you done the others basics (timing etc.)? What makes you think it's the carb?
Check the fluid level if it's an auto box as low fluid can cause stalling - did on my '65 when it developed a leak anyway. Remember to check with the engine running and even better if it's been on a run and warmed up (put it in each gear for a second before checking).
Anywhere with a gas meter (e.g. MOT station) should be able to tell you if you're running rich or lean. Maybe a rolling road session would be worthwhile to get the new engine set up?
Gassing Station | Mustangs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff