Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1966 289 ford mustang engine question, 289 ford, point gap

Question
QUESTION: My 1966 289 2B was running rought but now will start jsut fine but if i dont feather the gas will not keep running, when running rough it idle fine.  Checked fuel filter and i think the fuel pump is working, squirted little gas out of hose when i loosened clamp.  Check point gap looks ok.



ANSWER: Ross,

I think you may need to adjust your jets in the carb. Or it could be a choke problem, some of those 289's had vacuum chokes, others had mechanical or electrical chokes. I think everything else is fine, if the mechanical fuel pump was not working, the car wouldn't start at all. I would start by adjusting the two jet screws on your carb, just be sure its small adjustments and both screws are either opened or closed the same amount. I would also suggest a rebuild kit for the carb because the float may be bad also. hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This problem happened right after i bought fuel and it was all of a sudden, not sure it is water though.  The carb is only 8 minths old and 2 hours earlier it started and idled for 30 minutes perfect because i was out of town and battery was low becase of alarm.

I was driving down road just fine and then it power out and died.  I had to feather gas fast to get it to surge all the way home.  It will not idle at all it, if you hold the gas petal down it just starves and dies.  I checked my two inline filters but these are course filters.  Removeing hole before filter squirted gas at me but low pressure but it squirted good.  

Can't really tell if I got water or not, the glass is more clear that i remember gas but it filled quickly after i removed and replaced that line.

Answer
I would start pulling the plugs and checking them, maybe one or more are fouled out. also you may want to check the distributor for small cracks or moisture. Also check the coil and make sure the wires are in their proper places. Check the battery for any holes or swelling, be carefull when doing this(wear safety glasses and gloves) I had one explode and it was still holding a charge, but the motor ran like it was about to throw a rod. Hope this helps!