engine won't idle! please help

[mxmattd]

i have a 66 with a 289 v8. i've never had any problems with the engine running before. i left it sitting for 3 months or more, and now it will start fine and run ok with some throttle, but won't idle (it kind of jumps between 700 and 50 rpm and then dies). could it be that the fuel has gone bad? any other ideas?

 

[1966conv]

Stock carb? Any mods to the car? If you keep it running long enough to let it warm up, will it stay runnng then?

 

[Mav289]

Had the same problem in my 289 but in the 1000 and 1500 RPM range.Turned out to be a vacumm leak.

 

[hotrodredneck]

that's what it sounds like to me....there has to be a vacuum leak somewhere....check all around the carb, and all the other lines..shouldnt be too many

 

[86bluecobra]

i to think possible vaccuum leak but is it possible you have gummed up your idle jets on the carb?

 

[mxmattd]

well i guess it had just been too long since i ran it, the carb must have been gummed up. i put in some fuel stabilizer and after an hour the surging was greatly decreased. after driving it around for a couple hours, its back to normal (so far). thanks for the help!