c3 - rough running/ stall problem

[Peter M.]

Have 71 LT1 4 spd, 411, no TI, using Petronix. Has "restored" Holley 4801 carb without any choke parts. Driving car yesterday doing about 40-50 when I suddenly realized pressing gas pedal wasn't having any effect and engine turned off. Stopped dead in street, terrified I was going to get hit. Was able to restart car and limp into a parking lot.

Try to start car and it would start but would idle very poorly. Let car cool off and had wife show up to follow me back home. Drove a couple of miles and then as I was making a wide turn , car started running real rough(no backfire) as if carb was starving or something. Pulled into parking lot and my friend with 63 came. I took his car and he was able to drive my car home running into intermittent problem but never to point where car stalled.

By the time I showed up in my driveway with his car, mine was idling now fine!!! Any ideas on what is wrong? Carb, fuel pump? Help!!

[G B.]

I don't expect you to believe me...

but I would replace the Pertronics unit with a conventional points/condensor set-up for a test before I touched the carb.

[Bob Simard]

If points don't help, change the coil. *NM*

[Peter M.]

Re: c3 - rough running/ stall problem

Forgot to mention that the exhaust now smells like the carb is running very rich. Don't know if this has anything to do with the problem, but thought I should mention it.

Any impact on your thoughts?

[G B.]

Not really

I think your engine has been mis-firing quite a bit. Whether the problem is caused by the ignition or the carburetor doesn't matter to the tailpipes. They're going to get the partially burned combustion products either way. The exhaust is going to smell rank until the engine burns clean again.

Some carb problems can be intermittent, like dirt in a needle valve. However, most carb problems are caused by internal vacuum leaks, and they stay fairly constant once they start.

I think you've already made up your mind it's a carburetor problem. Why not borrow a known good Holley and try it?

[Gary S.]

Wheel of Fortune

Yes, Vanna, I would like to buy a pronoun!
Gary

[Peter M.]

Re: Not really

Jerry,

Thanks for the feedback. I do have another spare 4801 that is restored also but who really knows if it is perfect? I can tell you I am not mechanically inclined so I assure you I had not made up my mind about anything - don't know enough - hence why I reach out to here.

I did not install the Petronix but hopefully it is easy to take out and replace with points/condenser as you suggest. Seems to me that would be easier to do than pulling the carb.

Thanks again.

Peter

[Peter M.]

Re: Wheel of Fortune

Gary,

Sorry I must be slow but I don't get what you are trying to tell me!!!