i haven't messed with the valiant in a while but went out yesterday to drive her around the block and she died when i put her in reverse. as she is old and not driven at all really i didn't really think anything of it and fired her back up, backed into the road and put her in drive. she died immediately. it took me about 30 minutes to get her parked back in my driveway because she will die every time! what the heck? i admit that she doesn't run that great anyway but at least i drove her around a few months ago. any ideas as to what could cause this? thanks in advance.

I had that problem on the duster when engine cold or slight warm.
the fast idle speed may be too low, if you increase it that may help.
another item may be too little fuel in the fuel mix cause by
blockage near the idle mix screw area. try turning the screw out just
a little and see if that helps.
3rd item could be air leak in the carb/ intake area making fuel mix
too lean and no power.

4th item could be stuck egr valve making fuel mix too lean at idle
speed.

Probably just choke and fast-idle problems amongst whatever-all else is contributing to the car generally running poorly.

It's probably not the EGR, if your car is even so equipped. A car with a stuck-open or leaky EGR valve won't idle in any gear.

Tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this thread. Carburetor operation and repair manuals (and some training movies) are posted here for free download. See also Electric choke kits.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Sorry it has taken me a while to get back. We have had some terrible flooding this week. So bad that there were actually boats going down the street I live on. Anyway, I haven't had a chance to check out the car yet. I appreciate the advice and will post what I find out. Thanks for the help.

Try the easy one first - replace the fuel filter....

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1975 Dodge Dart Sport

FWIW---

1. Make sure there aren't any vacuum leaks.

2. After going crazy looking for vacuum leaks, I ended up curing my similair problem by replacing the coil.

Best of luck,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

I had the same problem that turned out to be a bad choke coil spring; it opened way too fast. Cold, it closed fine and the car started fine, hot it was wide open and the car ran fine , but it would always make the car stall leaving a stop sign when cold. Just to get going again, I poured water on it to cool it off.

Dirt and gunk from the fuel tank got past the filter and into the float bowl on my car, causing the same symptoms you described. (Idle fine, dies immediately when put into gear).

I had to take the carb apart to repair the problem. The dirt in the float bowl was obvious as soon as I got it apart.

Did you go over any severe bumps, speed bumps, etc?
That's what stirred up the gunk in my tank.

-Mac

just happened to me...had to slam on the gas out of neutral just to get her going, at speed, while accelerator was at half it whistled...took off the air cleaner and found that the carb came loose.

again, it's been a while but i am about to go fart around with the car. i hope it wouldn't be the coil, fuel filter, or gunk in the tank as the coil and filter have all of about 2 miles on them and the tank has about 10 miles since being redone. it does make a bit of a whistle so i will check the carb mount. i will post back in a few. thanks for all the advice.

well, i can't even get her to run now. Of coarse the battery is dead so i was jumping the val off with my jeep and i got her to fire up but she died soon there after. ran for about 7 seconds like it guzzled up the fuel from the carb and then was done. so when i went to crank it back nothing happened so i got out to investigate and notice smoke coming from the only fusible link i saw on the firewall that looks like it goes to the starter relay. i have given up for the day after replacing a bent driveshaft and ignition switch in my jeep before tackling the valiant i am a little frustrated with those two vehicles and i tend to break things when i work frustrated. any idea as to what would cause the smoke fusible link???

The starter was probably drawing quite a bit of juice, especially if it has moisture inside, or if the brushes are worn down or maybe stayed engaged........ because the solenoid is wet or bad.

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Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Now even if i just hook jumper cables up it starts smoking. i don't even have a chance to try and start it. the starter has seen better days i would say and it has been raining pretty much everyday for the last 43 years here so the moisture could be a problem too. i will check it out when it gets a little dryer.

do yourself a favor and replace starter with a mini and put new fusable link in

alright. i will check into that. where shall i acquire this mini starter? i really don't want to drop a lot of dough on this thing as i am probably about to get rid of it. between it and my jeep, both of which i don't really need, and a new baby on the way i don't think i will have time to do what i wanted with it. so, a mini starter for the cheap?