HELP ME GET MY RAMBLER GOIN

hey all. i am in a bind. i have a 1966 amc rambler. i had an issue where, it sorta idled rough at an intersection, then it died. i revived it, and went to look at the fuel filter. dirty as hell. so i replaced that. but now every time i go to start it up, i cannot let it idle, or it will stall. if i get it goin, rev it, and keep it revved and pop it into first, reverse or any other gear, it will work great, little sputter. but as soon as i slow to make a stop, or even slow to the bottom of second, it dies. i can restart it no problem, but it will die as soon as i take my foot off the foot feed. please help. any ideas? the fuel filter filled up with fuel so there is nothing blockin travel to the filter or the fuel pump. please help me. i will try anything. thanks guys. keep up the good site.cheers and beers, Psychobilly Pete

 

Pete, I'd be willing to bet that there is some trash in the needle and seat in your carb, causing it to stay open and keep filling with fuel until it drowns itself. If this is the case, it makes sense that when you are heavy on the throttle, the bowl keeps draining itself, but when you let up on the throttle, the engine stops taking the fuel, but the needle keeps taking it in.

I would either rebuild that carb, or at the least take your needle and seat out and make sure the assembly is clean. But I'd go ahead and get a rebuild kit at your local NAPA, since the problem has gotta be in the carb, somewhere. Also pick up some Brakleen brand brake parts cleaner, it works WONDERS on old dirty carbs.

 

Or, a piece of crud has gotten into a little passage for the idle circuit... as it will rev good but not idle. if the float needle was jammed open, it wouldnt rev well. Pull a plug, have a look, I bet it isnt fuel fouled... It would be, horrendously, if the needle was sticking or the float turned into a "sink!"

If I'm correct in my assumption, you'll have to tear the carb down, and get the straw of the can of carb cleaner into all the little holes, and blow 'em clear. But yeah, while its apart, throw your float(s) into a little thing of water and see how well they float...

Make sure all your ignition is in good shape too, plugs, points, condenser, cap, rotor...

Just say NO to cheap chrome coils, esp if they are made in China!