QuestionHello Sir: I been having trouble lately with my Imperial running good then as im driving she chokes for gas and stalls on me. very upsetting experience yesterday here in west pa , 68 degrees out and she does this on me. didnt know if I would make it home with her, was just 6 miles from the house, she started and stalled all the way home. was glad to be in my own driveway again. Be greatful for any advice on this. I love this car, she's a triple black Crown Coupe and very nice to look at. lots of thumbs up when I have her out. Im scared to drive her after yesterdays drive. Thank you Sir ! Bob Hall New Castle, Pa. (West. Pa)
AnswerI need to be sure I know what your symptoms are. Stalling is clear enough, I assume you mean that when you slow as if to stop for traffic, you have to restart the engine to get going again.
Choking for gas is not a term that means the same thing to everybody, so please describe what the symptoms are.
For example, do you notice smoke from the tailpipe when you restart it or when it is running poorly. Is the smoke black?
Have you taken the air cleaner off to see if the choke is stuck shut? If the air cleaner wing nut has been over tightened, this can warp the top of the carburetor such that the choke will stay on after the car has warmed up, giving you a very rich mixture, which will cause poor running and stalling, and black smoke. Sometimes this only happens with the air cleaner on and tight.
So, the next time you are brave enough to try it, start the car and drive it until it acts up. Then stop, take the air cleaner off and inspect the choke butterfly - make sure it is all the way open (if the engine is thoroughly warm). If it is, leave the air cleaner off for a few minutes to see if it drives OK then. If it doesn't, this isn't your problem.
The next likely thing is that the needle valve is sticking open, flooding the carburetor. Tell me how far you drive it after you start the engine cold until it acts up. If this is only a short distance, it could be the needle valve. This can be due to crud in the gas causing the valve to not close all the way, or it could be caused by the float developing a pinhole leak, which will cause it to sink to the bottom of the float chamber and allow too much gas into the carburetor. Either way, I think your sure cure is to replace the carburetor with a new one, or have someone rebuild your existing carburetor. I have to warn you, though, that most rebuilders are totally incompetent, and the carburetor comes back in worse shape than when you sent it out, and this also applies to store bought "rebuilt" carburetors. If you want to go this way, send it to Jon Hargrove's "The Carburetor shop" at www.thecarburetorshop.com These folks know what they are doing.
Your other solution is to replace your carburetor with a new one from Edlebrock, who has picked up the license to manufacture the Carter AFB (which is the carburetor on your car). The AFB was and is the most reliable, trouble free carburetor ever made, and your troubles are very unusual, I assure you. I have numerous cars with this exact carburetor, including 4 of my Imperials, and they all are absolutely perfect!
If you want to put a new one on your car, you can consult the Imperial Mailing List of sources for these at www.imperialclub.com or you can call Summit Racing or Performance Automotive Warehouse, they both stock these. Be sure to get someone who knows that your car has some unique needs - especially you'll need to hook up the modern electric choke on the new carb, and you'll have to change the air cleaner.
If you want to keep your car original, send the carburetor to Jon Hargrove and get it rebuilt right.
Good Luck.
If you have more information on the symptoms, post them to me in a follow up question.
Dick.
