Quadra-Stall

[Bill E.]

Hello All:

Today after a one-hour drive at expressway speeds I pulled onto city streets. At the first stop everything was OK, then after going two more blocks to the next stop the engine died after idling for a few minutes. It sounded like it was starving for fuel. I tried to keep it going by pumping the gas but that didn't work. I restarted the car, it run a little rough for a few seconds and then everything was OK for the rest of the trip which included several more stops.

The car is a '74 with a base engine, automatic, and AC. The AC was off when the problem developed.

Any ideas? Is this a precursor to a future problem?

Thanks, Bill

[Steven C.]

Re: Quadra-Stall

I had a similar problem on my '68 cutlass...clogged fuel filter at inlet of carburetor (not in the fuel line, but inside the carb). Should be a pleated filter about 2" long and 3/4' diameter.

Steve

[Jack W.]

Re: Quadra-Stall

that or the coil is acting up at temp

[Bill E.]

Re: Quadra-Stall

Hello Steve,

Per your advice I replaced the fuel filter. Even if that's not the problem (time will tell) it was a good idea. The filter was really clogged and had probably been in there since the car was restored fifteen years ago.

I don't know if your '68 Cutlass has the same setup as my '74 Vette but there is a spring that holds the filter against the fuel inlet. I think this may work like a bypass with the fuel pressusre pushing the spring if the filter is blocked and letting the fuel flow around the filter rather than through it. It could be that at idle speed the fuel pressure wasn't enough let the fuel bypass the filter. In any event thanks for the tip. Bill

[Steven C.]

Re: Quadra-Stall

Bill,

I hoped that solved it. My Cutlass (actually a 2-bbl Rochester) does use the spring. I think your logic is correct about "design" function. I've learned in practice that that filter gets clogged with very fine particles, and can affect performance.

I noticed an immediate and tremendous improvement after I changed mine.

Steve