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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

New carb and intake manifold

  • Thread starter Thread starter USU_Stang
  • Start date Start date Sep 11, 2005
U

USU_Stang

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
33
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Sep 11, 2005
#1
  • Sep 11, 2005
  • #1
I've got a 68 with a 289. Put an Edelbrock Performer 289 and Motorcraft 4300 carburetor on it and now we are having issues starting it. I can get the car to start and run at about 2000 RPM (estimate) or above, but when it drops below that for a second or more it dies. Friend I got the carb from had it on his Mustang about 6 months before now and it ran fine. We marked the distributor when we were taking it out, so timing SHOULD be fine. We have moved the distributor around a little bit and the car has gotten worse, but no better. First off, can someone tell me the initial setting I should use for the idle fuel mixture screws? With my old Autolite 2100 you would back the screws out 1.5 turns from all the way in. Other than that, anybody got ideas to try?

thanks
--Jason
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
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79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 11, 2005
#2
  • Sep 11, 2005
  • #2
did you check for vacume leaks?
 
U

USU_Stang

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
33
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0
Sep 12, 2005
#3
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #3
not entirely sure how to do that...i've heard vague references to using carb cleaner, but...
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Sep 12, 2005
#4
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #4
i would ditch the 4300 and try and find a 4100 to replace it with. the 4300 is rather a piece of junk carb. that said, vacuum leaks are usually cause the problem you describe.
 
U

USU_Stang

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
33
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Sep 12, 2005
#5
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #5
Again, how does one check for vacuum leaks, especially if the car won't run?

--Jason
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
20
79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 12, 2005
#6
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #6
spray carb cleaner along the carb base and the intake rails where it meets the heads.If your idle smoothens out or raises you have a leak

also retorque the manifold just in case
 
U

USU_Stang

New Member
Dec 8, 2004
33
0
0
Sep 12, 2005
#7
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #7
sorry, i'm still confused about how I am supposed to do this if the car won't idle...
I will retorque my manifold bolts though.

thanks
--Jason
 

krash kendall

Active Member
Nov 19, 2004
1,258
0
36
Aldergrove, B.C. Canada
Sep 12, 2005
#8
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #8
First off, check the back of the carb for a 3/8 port at the base. If it is open plug it. It is a vacuum source for power brakes. Then check for minor vacuum leaks after you get it running.
 

iskwezm

10 Year Member
May 24, 2005
4,159
20
79
Rowland Heights,California
Sep 12, 2005
#9
  • Sep 12, 2005
  • #9
raise the idle so it will at least sun and then spray for a leak,it ifs that bad where it wont run,its a pretty big problem.
 
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