Im confused
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Joined: March 16, 2014
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Im confused
Why does my GT die out at a stoplight? Or just out of nowhere. Then it becomes very difficult to start up again.
Carb was rebuilt 6 months ago
Full Tune Up.
Plugs + Wires changed
It will run perfectly until I start driving it. Then out if nowhere it'll die out. I want to drive it but I don't trust it yet. I want it to be reliable. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Carb was rebuilt 6 months ago
Full Tune Up.
Plugs + Wires changed
It will run perfectly until I start driving it. Then out if nowhere it'll die out. I want to drive it but I don't trust it yet. I want it to be reliable. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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Timing, I don't think that would cause it to die intermittently. Its never died while driving at speeds has it? Just when you come up to a stop or when you go to take off? What type of choke do you have and is it set properly?
Last edited by Glenn; Apr 6, 2014 at 06:15 AM.
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Seems like we keep coming back to the choke in these two threads. Sounds likely that it still needs adjustment.
My house is also at 7000, where are you located? I know when you take it to a higher elevation you will run more richly (less O2 in the mixture), so your carb might need different sized jets.
My house is also at 7000, where are you located? I know when you take it to a higher elevation you will run more richly (less O2 in the mixture), so your carb might need different sized jets.
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It does sometimes die when I'm going about 40-45. This worries be because of braking and steering is almost lost. I'm in Flagstaff, AZ. The choke was not adjusted and was holding the butterfly shut even after it would warm up, but then I adjusted it so now it's completely open when warm. It runs great just out Of nowhere it will die out on me. I don't get it because if how great it runs..
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It does sometimes die when I'm going about 40-45. This worries be because of braking and steering is almost lost. I'm in Flagstaff, AZ. The choke was not adjusted and was holding the butterfly shut even after it would warm up, but then I adjusted it so now it's completely open when warm. It runs great just out Of nowhere it will die out on me. I don't get it because if how great it runs..
However, neither timing being off a bit, jets too rich, or sticking choke would cause it to die at speed (when driving). You'd just notice it running rough and bad gas mileage.
My F150 choke sticks. And though it starts fine it quickly starts idling rough and will sometimes die until I open the choke butterfly. So if yours does this at a stoplight, lift the lid of the air cleaner and see where the choke butterfly is positioned.
Still, a sticking choke should not cause the engine to die while driving - just run rough.
If the accelerator pump in the carb (that sprays when you give it gas) is bad, that would only affect when you give it the gas - like when starting from a stop - not when running at speed.
I don't think a vacuum leak would cause it do die while driving - just run rough.
I don't think a bad plug or bad plug wire would cause it do die while driving - just run rough.
So it could be something electrical - maybe a bad coil wire or bad coil that feeds all the spark. Something in the distributor failing. Broken distributor cap? Bad condenser? A Cap, rotor, new points & condenser are a good routine tune up anyway if they haven't been done lately (along with new plugs).
All of your ground straps for engine to frame tight?
This might be a long shot but I drove an 80's Ford Van that would intermittent cut out. An old timer at a garage suggested replacing the ignition relay (on the firewall or by the battery). That fixed it.
Otherwise, maybe a fuel pump going out?
Last edited by cdynaco; Apr 7, 2014 at 03:44 PM.
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This sounds like my car...I found out gas was mixed with rust that had previously formed in my gas tank for sitting for 8 years. You should get one of those clear fuel filters and see if your gas is a red color. My car would just die at high speeds because it was starving for gas cuz it was clogged up from rust particles. And sometimes it would take hours to start it back up
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Changing altitude would not change timing. It could affect A/F ratio and require a change in main jets like we talked earlier. However, neither timing being off a bit, jets too rich, or sticking choke would cause it to die at speed (when driving). You'd just notice it running rough and bad gas mileage. My F150 choke sticks. And though it starts fine it quickly starts idling rough and will sometimes die until I open the choke butterfly. So if yours does this at a stoplight, lift the lid of the air cleaner and see where the choke butterfly is positioned. Still, a sticking choke should not cause the engine to die while driving - just run rough. If the accelerator pump in the carb (that sprays when you give it gas) is bad, that would only affect when you give it the gas - like when starting from a stop - not when running at speed. I don't think a vacuum leak would cause it do die while driving - just run rough. I don't think a bad plug or bad plug wire would cause it do die while driving - just run rough. So it could be something electrical - maybe a bad coil wire or bad coil that feeds all the spark. Something in the distributor failing. Broken distributor cap? Bad condenser? A Cap, rotor, new points & condenser are a good routine tune up anyway if they haven't been done lately (along with new plugs). All of your ground straps for engine to frame tight? This might be a long shot but I drove an 80's Ford Van that would intermittent cut out. An old timer at a garage suggested replacing the ignition relay (on the firewall or by the battery). That fixed it. This concerns me because if there is an error in this wiring it could cause the engine to suddenly die. Did you have the problem before you changed the ignition switch? Can you double check the wiring? Loose wire in the connector plug? Otherwise, maybe a fuel pump going out?
