[Player]

When I'm driving and I step on the gas, there's a slight hesitation before it takes off. If the engine is cool (just beginning trip) and I don't give it enough gas, it will die on me--happened twice--. Once I've been driving it doesn't die but does hesitate momentarily EVERY time I press the accelerator.
Also, when I go to start when it's cold it fires right up without much effort at all. Once it’s been driven at all it doesn't want to start without pressing the accelerator to the floor. I’m not sure if this is somehow related to the hesitation problem, or not.
The carb (Autolite 2100) was rebuilt over the winter. Could there be a carb adjustment that is needed to correct both of these issues?
Thanks!

[stang93mustang]

If the car is carbureted, sound like it needs to be rebuild. The accelerator pump seems to be malfuntioning along with a choke adjustment problem.

[STERLING351]

Check your timing if that doesnt help check idle or just get a new carb, get a Holley

[Player]

My timing looks good. I believe the idle is good. I spent a lot of time getting those right. The car starts well (initially), and runs well. It doesn't have any problems when reving it from park/neutral. My carb should be in excellent shape. I'm looking for an inexpensive answer (or at least the truth behind this problem).

In another thread both vapor lock and the carb float were suspected. I'm pretty sure those have been ruled out now. I thought for sure the collective experience from this forum could solve this in no time flat.

[matticus1181]

I would think carb as well. I've had this exact problem before. It turned out that the seals on the tube that goes from the throttle linkage through the throttle plate were bad. I'm not sure if I explained that well. You can try spraying some carb cleaner on these seals while the car is running. If it bogs down at all, you're probably cooked. I had to replace my carb, but I could actually wiggle the throttle tube up and down in the carb. Hopefully yours isn't that bad...

[Player]

Interesting though. I'll give that a try and let you know what I find out.

[cindys_sn95]

sounds like a carb adjustment. also you say timing is ok, where is ok? factory spec. is almost always to low. try bumping it up a little.

[Player]

Cindy, carb adjustment, or carb problem (as discussed above)?

Yeah, I think I have it at factory specs. 6 degrees btdc I think. So you think I should change that to what?

[cindys_sn95]

go up 2 degrees at a time untill it pings on acceleration, then back it down 2 degrees. and double check carb adjustment after you get timing set.

[Player]

So we're talking about advanceing or retarding the timing?

Strangely, the car didn't do this the first few times I drove it. And I can even tell when I'm cruising at a constant speed that it kind of wants to hesitate, occasionally. Perhaps even a couple of times it may have just slightly, and I gave it a hair more gas and it was fine. Very strange. Don't know if this is related to the difficulty starting after its been run.

When I rebuild the engine (eventually), this is really making me want to fuel inject it.

[STERLING351]

Originally Posted by Player

So we're talking about advanceing or retarding the timing?

Strangely, the car didn't do this the first few times I drove it. And I can even tell when I'm cruising at a constant speed that it kind of wants to hesitate, occasionally. Perhaps even a couple of times it may have just slightly, and I gave it a hair more gas and it was fine. Very strange. Don't know if this is related to the difficulty starting after its been run.

When I rebuild the engine (eventually), this is really making me want to fuel inject it.

Advance the timing. are your fuel lines clean? And fuel pump clean? I would try cleaning them, maybe your now getting enough fuel.

[cindys_sn95]

yes advance. and sterling is right, check fuel filter.

[Player]

I have a new fuel tank, new fuel pump, new fuel filter (and inline, clear filter). Not to mention new points (adjusted within specs), plugs, wires, oil pump, water pump etc etc

Lines are original but seem to flow well (blew fuel through them). And have only found a couple of specs in my inline fuel filter.

[Warrior 2011]

i had this problem w/ my 289. it was the accelerator pump diaphram. i replaced it (and put the spring on the correct side, that was the previous owners fault) and it fixed most of it. now i have times where it wants to hesitate, but im putting a new carb this weekend.

[Player]

Warrior 2011, I put the new accelerator pump on correctly. When you fixed yours and it started act like it wanted to hesitate again, do you think this is the throttle plate linkage seals?

If the seals on the tube that goes from the throttle linkage through the throttle plate are bad, as suggested. Is that something that can be fixed? Or is that costly? Doesn't sound like something I would want to do myself.