Hey guys,

I've been having some problems with my Duster lately. My Slant needs some work and is not in great shape, actually it is getting closer to a full overhaul, but I try to keep it running the best I can; spark plugs are always clean, fuel and air filters are replaced often, spark plugs cables are brand new, as well as the ignition coil and resistor. I rebuilt the carburator myself recently among other maintenance issues.

Well, lately I've been having problems to start it, particulary warm, but also cold. The problem is not very often when hot. Also, while in idle the engine doesn't feel right, it misses and hesitates, and sometimes it stalls. Fortunately it starts back on immediately when I turn the key.

I am not a mechanic and actually I am very far from being one, I have no mechanical training at all so I keep guessing what the problems could be. I used to consut a Haynes repair manual very often until my friend Dan Stern recommended me to think it twice and get the original factory repair manual instead (which I don't have yet).

Anyways, I noted something that I am not sure how "normal" it is... I've always used a transparent fuel filter, and I remember it always half full when the engine is not running, when it does run, I could see the filter almost full but for a small air bubble on the top. Now, the filter is just empty all the time, even when the engine is running... of course there must be some fuel running through it but I barely see it.

What do you think...?


Cheers,


Ed

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My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

Sounds like what Kim's Scamp used to do. No fuel in the filter and the car would fall flat on its face under acceleration or when cruising at higher speeds- let off for a second and it would run good for a few seconds.

A new feul pump took care of it.

HTH

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Brian (Valianator)

'65 Valiant V100 170/T-flite
'82 D150 225/4-speed
'65 Dart 225 4 door
'68 Dart 225 4-door with Valiant front clip (future project)

Thanks Brian, I suspected it was the pump....


Ed

_________________
My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

Gunk in the inlet sock is also a possibility

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Sorry slantvaliant, but I am not sure of the term "Gunk", could you explain?

Thanks...


Ed

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My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

gunk as in perhaps rust particles that are from the gas tank. I know my slant had that problem i had to change the fuel filter about ever week for a while it got really bad i think that also burned up my fuel pump cause i had to change it later on

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Cuda Progress
The dart as it sits now

Sorry for the confusion. I used the term gunk to refer to rust, assorted materials, and contaminants that can clog the mesh of the sock. I thinf of it as Gooey Junk = gunk. Not to be confused with the brand name Gunk.
My fuel tank was full of various kinds of rust and dirt, causing many problems over the years. Cleaning the tank helped the car out a lot!

_________________
"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

if you are having trouble with starting, and you just rebuilt the carb, what kind of carb is it? I had the choke thermostat go on a carter 2 barrel almost every year (this was on my pick-up though). it also was worthless on acceleration depending on what temp it was.

Hey,
I just replaced my fuel pump 2 weeks ago. Mine was leaking which also caused gasoline to enter the crankcase. That diluted my oil so that my oil pressure dropped and the light came on. An oil change took care of that.

The pump was about $18 at Advance Auto. Not sure what your options are in Mexico. The install was easy except for the difficulty in reaching the bolts. I have a 225 from 1975. I have been told earlier models have more clearance on that side of the engine. I used a wrench and had to do the front bolt from under the car and the rear bolt from the top.

You should also reroute your fuel line while you are at it. I also did this and my car starts right up when warm for the first time. Here are two links to guide you. I was able to find the 5/16 brass fittings at NAPA. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic ... +fuel+line

http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic ... +fuel+line

_________________
God took you away, then brought you back to me.

What model/year is your car?

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Thank you guys...

My car is a Valiant Duster 74, the Mexican version of the US Dart Sport... it has a simple Holley 1945

I will post a couple of pics later...

Ed

_________________
My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.

this is an affordable service manual but lacks photo or good description.
ask seller if they include both body and chasis books and whether they are original (as opposed to some type of cheap copy) and what condition they are in. make sure its not an owners manual but the actual book from the dealer. my chasis manual is 1 1/2 in thick (1975) body manual is thinner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-PLY ... enameZWDVW

also check:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Ser ... enameZWD1V

and:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Body-Ser ... enameZWD1V

_________________
God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Thanks man I'll check it out... as an update, I noticed that the hose coming from the gas tank and into the gas pump was cracked, it was leaking gas, I replaced it and now the fuel filter is full again and the car does not stall anymore, I believe that was the problem... still feels hesitating and missing, but it got better...


Ed

_________________
My other car is... another DUSTER!!! .·.