Ok, so I finally got the car running again thanks to the help of SlantSixDan and Dart63 (thanks guys!). But I've still got a little issue that I need help with.

When the car is cold, going from no load on the engine at low speed to moderate load, it hesitates, the carb misfires (small explosion not sure how else to describe it), and it stalls if I don't get it into neutral fast enough. Once it warms up, I have slight hesitation in the same situations--no load to load, but it doesn't stall.

Currently, I have the timing set to about 8 degrees BTDC. Before I mess with anything, I wanted to get some opinions for things to look for.

Thanks guys!

MJ

Lean stumble and resultant backfire on acceleration.

Your initial timing's in the range of OK; 5BTDC might be better than 8BTDC.

A few things to check:

1) Choke adjustment. If the choke thermostat's spring tension setting isn't quite strong enough, your symptom will result. Factory setting has the notch mark set 2 notches to the "R" (Rich) side of the centre index mark. (This makes sense if you take the choke thermostat off the exhaust manifold, turn it upside down and look). Over the years, the bimetallic thermostat spring will age and the tension will tend to be reduced, so you might bump it to 3 or 4 notches R.

2) Accelerator pump shot. There are three holes in the lower left corner of the throttle lever on your Carter BBS (looking at the rear of the carb). The accelerator pump link can hook into any of them. The outermost hole gives the largest accelerator pump shot. The innermost hole gives the smallest accelerator pump shot. The pump shot setting *should* be measured using the FSM procedure, since link rods get bent and tweaked over the years. But, if you haven't got the time or tools, try moving the accelerator pump link to the next-outermost hole in the throttle lever and see if that takes away the hesitation. If the link is already in the outermost hole, you can get additional pump shot by bending the accelerator pump link at its bottom-right "elbow". Consult your FSM; pictures are present.

I think #1 is more likely. I've not looked at the choke too closely since there have been other issues to contend with. The accelerator pump is new, but I'll give the hole trick a try as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

MJ

Are you driving this car much? I have the same problem with my car, the hesitation is strongest when the choke is off, and it remains as long as it's running. I have a lean condition due to improper jetting and worn throttle shafts. If this is your problem, itll show up on your plugs. They will be completely clean or lightly frosted with white specks.

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Step,

haven't driven it in this condition at all. Just put new ignition in, PCV, and carb. I have brand new plugs on there. So I'll try and drive it some now that its warming up and find out over time. But I think the choke is probably partially/wholly frozen. I recall having that problem when I got it, soaked it in kroil, and it seemed to move.

If I'm looking at the little "flag" what position is it supposed to be in when cold?

MJ

It seems likely that the choke is part of the problem, but you mention that the hesitation remains when it's warm, which makes me think "accelerator pump".

Don't gauge choke position by the choke lever, judge by the position of the choke *plate* (remove the air cleaner lid). Also don't discount the possibility of the choke lever, rod or plate snagging on the underside of the air cleaner or the underside of the air cleaner stud bail.

Ok guys,

Checked the choke when I went to start the car. The flap is entirely closed. When I get it going again this afternoon I'll check to see what the flap does as it warms up.

Also moved the acclerator pump linkage to the 3rd hole from the middle one. I moved it to the lowest hole, to give the most throw. The hesitation was still there and I didn't really notice much improvement.

Other things you think I should investigate?

Thanks guys!

MJ