[theslicknick6]

I recently had my 1964 mustang completely redone. I'm currently in college and as such need my mustang to actually be drivable.(I know reliability can be an issue) after getting my car back about a week and a half ago it drove fine for a few days before starting to have issues accelerating when I would apply quick pressure to the gas, whether from a standstill or will cruising. Eventually it deteriorated to the point where it would not start. One day I tried turning it over and it got stuck trying to start, I even removed the key and had to take off the battery terminal. I Have since replaced the solenoid to remedy this issue and it seems to start up fine now even though my generator light remains on. I have gotten my alternator checked out and was told it is working fine and I have also purchased a new battery as well since my old one was easily over 5 years old. Now I can go into reverse, give it gas and it seems to go ok granted I dont lam on the gas in reverse and I can start ok, its just going into drive and trying to even tap on the gas that it sputters then dies without fail. I have a 260 V8 with a new 4 barrel intake and a Holley 1850-3 Carb that is stock, I havnt tried tuning the carb yet because I didnt want to mess something up and then not know how to get back to my starting point. I have tried reading the manual on the carb itself but still am a little confused as to what I should do on it. It is a manual choke but it starts fine with the baffle all the way open, but wont start with it closed. Also I have checked my spark plugs and they are pitch black implying that I'm running rich. I hope this is enough information for someone to be able to give me a helping hand. I would really appreciate it.

[robotworkshop]

When you had everything redone did you do anything with the gas tank? You might want to check the fuel filter to see if it has gotten clogged.

Years ago I had a car that sat for may years and started having similar issues. It ended up being sediment in the tank that started coming loose after driving it that started clogging filters and preventing a good fuel flow.

If that is the issue you may just want to invest in a new tank, sending unit, and lines. You can get all new and you can probably replace it all for what some places may charge to pull the tank and clean it out. It isn't too bad of a job to replace it on these cars.

If you keep at it there isn't any reason why you shouldn't be able to make your Mustang reliable enough to get you around.

Robert

[theslicknick6]

thanks for the reply, I actually have a brand new tank, lines filter, sending unit, fuel pump, whole shebang. I did notice one thing just a little while ago. I have two small vacuum ports on the front of my carb, the lower one is for full manifold vacuum port and the upper one is for timed spark vacuum source. I have the first one hooked up to the distributer advance. The second one is not hooked up at all. Would this have any effect on it? I dont exactly know what those things are but just from looking at diagrams and doing a little reading thats what I was able to figure out.

[robotworkshop]

Has the vacuum advance been replaced? On another car I had a problem where the diaphragm inside the vacuum advance started leaking. Might be worth looking at too.

[theslicknick6]

no the vacuum advance, which is the small ufo shaped item sticking out of the distributor I am assuming, came with the car when i first purchased it 4 years ago. also would it matter which port on the carb its hooked up to between the two i mention and should i plug the one i am not using? also someone mentioned my jets might be too large for the engine I'm running, is that a possibility, from what I've read the carb has 64's in the front and 70's in the back but I'm not sure what I should actually have on there.

[Chanos]

First thing that comes to mind is either a clogged filter, a failing or failed fuel pump, or the floats are stuck mostly closed.

Check your fuel pressure would be the first place I would look. Just cuz stuff is new does not mean it works.

[theslicknick6]

ok will do, what is the best way to check the fuel pressure? sorry I realize this is probably a pretty simple question. also would autozone or advance sell a fuel pressure gauge?

[theslicknick6]

I'm getting around 8psi of fuel pressure so I think thats fine.

[Whoa Hoss]

You might want to check the state of the vacuum advance. I was having issues, and one of the changes I had to make was to replace the vac. adv. It was like 18 dollars at NAPA. On mine, it was allowing gas into the vacuum line out of the the carb. Take it off -- you should not be able to suck or blow through it. If you can -- replace it.

[theslicknick6]

I just replaced it and hoped it would fix the issue but I'm still having issues. Now it wont start without me really giving it gas and once it is started it sounds really rough and I have to keep my foot on the gas in order for it to not die out. I checked my vacuum hoses and they all appear to be hooked up. I've had my timing adjusted which originally fixed the first issue I was having but after a few days this current problem arose. any ideas?

[02whtstanggt]

Have you checked the base of the carb and the intake gaskets for vacuum leaks? If you can keep the car at a steady rpm then take carb cleaner or starter fluid and spray around and if the rpm increases or drops then you have found the leak. Also check the accelerator pump - just look inside the bores and cycle the throttle you should see gas squirting from the orifices. If the carb is the only thing not worked on then an overhaul might not hurt.

[theslicknick6]

I see that its leaking fuel from the accelerator arm pivot on the carb and its leaking down onto the base and gasket. I saw that it was doing this a long time ago but it ran fine and I was told that it can be normal? But I'm going to try to do what you told me about its hard to keep it at a constant RPM though, so just spray along the base plate/gasket? How would i fix a vacuum leak

[theslicknick6]

well after much tuning and tinkering it looks like it was a combination of the float being way to high, the idle being off and the timing being off. thanks everyone for your help with this!