Engine Stalls...
 

Experiencing a stalling problem with one of the L78 4spd cars. Seems to be fuel related from where I sit. Car stalls when you brake for a stop, but starts right again up when you hit the key. Runs fine down the road but feels a little funy when you hit the brakes. I checked the front bowl float level and appeared to be ok. Didn't check rear yet. Any comments...

wilma

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Power brakes? Leaning out fuel when brakes applied? Richer fuel mix or higher idle speed?

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Don't overlook a loose wire or ground shorting out when you apply the brakes.

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Maybe a internal vacumn leak in the power brake booster that only shows up when you apply the brakes. I would try taking off the vacumn hose to the booster and capping it. Then drive the car and see if it still does it when you apply the brakes. Just remember that your brakes aren't going to work very good.

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Maybe float level....

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Sounds like a float. Sometimes the brass floats will give it up.

Jim

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Check for pin holes in the float.

We had a similar issue in the '70 after we changed the carb. The float would fill up with gas and sink. There was no gas coming into the bowls. It could be a similar issue. Every time we would move the car or come to an abrupt stop the car would stall.

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Dan you got me scratchin my head...A float that don't float floods the carb...if its set too low it will uncover the primary jets on a hard stop... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Charleys vacumm advice is a good one...we just had the booster crack in my bro's truck..it was erractic when it first failed.

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Thanks for all the input boys. I will try the vacuum hose test first and report my findings.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

"but feels a little funy when you hit the brakes. "

That's another good clue it's vacuum related. That's my vote. You could also "T" in a vacuum gauge to manifold vacuum and watch it when someone steps on the brake pedal. Or you could just step on the brake with it sitting still, idling, and see if the engine slows down and gets rough.

Verne

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Tried disconnecting the vacuum line and it made no difference. Richened the mixture a little and raised the idle to about 900-1000rpm and that seemed to help a little. Checked timing and it seems ok. Noticed a leaky valve cover in the process so now I have something else to do. Never a dull moment...

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Maybe as simple as a tank of bad fuel. Try some fresh good gas. Earl

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

I think the fuel is ok, but..????? Reduced float levels in both bowls..still stalls on forward stop..but if you go fast in reverse and hit the brakes it doesn't do it...so it definately has an issue...well back to the shop.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Possibly fuel sloshing out of the secondary vent? If that's the case, that would mean a float issue...what needle/seat you using in your carb?

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Tom;

Does the car emit a puff of black smoke on re-start after it stalls? Do you have to crack the throttle open to get it lit back up, or just turn it over?

Eric

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

The only smoke is the stuff coming out of my ears!! Put it away for the nite and covered it up. I seem to recall someone talking about a using a piece of hose between the 2 bowl vents. I may try that tomorrow or just put on the front lawn with a "for sale sign"... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif Thanks to all the helpers..

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

[ QUOTE ]
Reduced float levels in both bowls

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm thinking you need to raise the front float..

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Bob... Maybe that did not make sense?
There were pin wholes in the floats. It would fill up with gas on hard acceleration or decelleration. And even if the car was started on a hill, the float would also fill up gas and sink in the bowls. I did not know why. During regular cruising the car would cruise fine but we could not get the carb to idle. I guess it has something to do the lack of gas in the bowls? The carb is a service replacement unit and had a plastic floats at the time. Took the carb to our speed shop and the replaced the plastic units with an aluminum (or metal looking) unit. Problem solved. Does this help?

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

So you replaced the bad float and it still does the same thing ??? Lowering the float drop puts less gas in the bowl is all I was saying..

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

How about replacing the carb with one you know runs well to help to isolate the problem.

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Changing the carb is an option I considered. Just trying to avoid doing all that plumbing!!! Will try increasing float level today, if that doesn't work, then another carb...

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Sheeeesh, raise the floats, lower the floats, raise the floats, lower the floats...........
I'm tired. You could raise OR lower those floats all day long off stock setting and you probably wouldn't notice any differnce in the way the engine ran. If you have a hard time setting them to stock setting, that's an indication they're sinking, otherwise just set 'em stock.
Then go back and run that vacuum test. Does it idle ok with your foot off the brake???? So far you've only said the car runs bad when you step on the brake............

just trying to help https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Simmer down you old fart...you only know them damn AFB's anyway !! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Guilty on both counts! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

You guys are great! Thanks for all the helpful ideas. Why don't we all get together some nite in my shop and just play with this carb until we get it to work?? I'll buy the beer!!


wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif


ps. I gave into golf and sunshine on Sunday and left the car cover on L78. Maybe tomorrow nite I will dive in again.. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

[ QUOTE ]
Experiencing a stalling problem with one of the L78 4spd cars. Car stalls when you brake for a stop, but starts right again up when you hit the key. Runs fine down the road but feels a little funy when you hit the brakes. Any comments...

wilma

[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe this is the problem, Got to push that clutch in https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
http://www.whtc.com/Shared/Auto/tuto...earnstick.html

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Now why didn't I think of that??

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/rolleyes.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Got an email with some info from the 2nd owner of the car. He had he same problem and was convinced it was electrical in nature. The car acted this way on a number of occasions when I first got it. I have sinced changed the carb to a #'s unit for originality. And it still does the same thing, but it seems worse. I am really starting to think there is some wire that is pinched on braking, or .....??? went for a ride tonite and it screams down the road, but come to quick stop and.....that's it! I plan on jacking up the car and checking all wires near the back of engine, harness, etc.

wilma https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

How about the fusible link? My Nova had the wire short out after some chafing. Did the same thing that you described...until it shorted out and blew the fuse!

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Tell you what Tom... how about you just drive one of your good ones and give me that crappy one... It seems to be frustrating you... I'll deal with the stalling and you'll have piece of mind https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif Everyones happy https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

Disconnect the brake light switch,could have a short in switch or in wiring to the switch causing a feedback or something.Sounds like a electrical problem to me!

Bobby Dodson

Re: Engine Stalls...
 

I will try that, thanks!

wilma