• Hello there guest and Welcome to The #1 Classic Mustang forum!
    To gain full access you must Register. Registration is free and it takes only a few moments to complete.
    Already a member? Login here then!

I need help with my 1966 "T" Code Mustang - Won't start or idle..

T

toddwallace

Member
I have a 1966 "T" code mustang that has has a 2bbl Webber DG98 and manual choke with the Clifford 2bbl adapter, Pertronix, Classic Inline Dual Headers..

Car sat from 2006 in a garage and had not been started... I replaced radiator, water pump, thermostat, belts, hoses, plugs.. Drained all the fluids and replaced.. had the carb rebuilt...

right now, the car needs exhaust and is just open headers. Muffler shop wants it idling so they can check for leaks..

car is very hard to start. When it does hit, it idles up and dies. Seems to like half choke after it does warm up to attempt to idle. I had a mechanic check timing and vacuum leaks. He said that I need to drive it for awhile, but don't buy that. I'm hoping the motor is good, but it does not smoke. I just can't get it where it is easy to start and/or idle. After the motor gets warm, you can wrap on the accelator and the car revs fine. ultimately, the car will idle ok when it gets warm/hot. When it is like this, the car does not seem to have any power or torque. It dies trying to get in on the trailer and requires 2 people pushing it from behind.

What are you thoughts? Anyone in the DFW area that can help??
 
Do you have an electric choke ? Is it wired correctly ??to the ignition coil ??
Is your ignition (spark ) strong enough ?
Check the egines ground strap
Check the voltage on the +pole of the coil
Asuming that your carburator is perfectly rebuilt , double check timing

just some thoughts
 
Do you have an electric choke ? Is it wired correctly ??to the ignition coil ??

Todd->Manual Choke

Is your ignition (spark ) strong enough ?

Todd-> it's a MSD Flame Thrower

Check the egines ground strap

Todd-> I will double check that, but think I am good. I put a new ground strap when I was doing the initial work..

Check the voltage on the +pole of the coil

Todd-> Will do.. What should I see?

Asuming that your carburator is perfectly rebuilt , double check timing

Todd-> The carb was rebuilt by a guy that does it full time and did my other Mustang's Holley and it was good. This carb had gas in it for 6 years, so I had him rebuild it. He said the power valve (I think) needed replacing (and he did)... cleaned it up and put a rebuild kit on it. Before the rebuild, the car would bog down and die if you hit the accelerator.. It does not do that now..

There's not much to this motor.. Carb, spark, timing... It has to be something simple, but I can't find it....
 
"toddwallace" said:
Check the voltage on the +pole of the coil

Todd-> Will do.. What should I see?
Click to expand...

you should read about 9 volts or more with a convential setup.

I assume with the flame thrower it should be at least 9 volts but I not sure

It could be 12 volts that you need with a flame thrower. :confu :confu
 
Start the car however you can, and let it get warm. Then check and adjust timing, dwell, adjust curb idle screws, curb idle rpm, and choke. Once that is done, you should have a lot easier time getting it started.

All cold-related issues with the car idling are likely choke settings, but you can't really adjust the choke correctly unless the idle tune is set correctly.
 
"toddwallace" said:
Since the choke is manual, are you talking about manually adjusting while it is cold and open it up with it warms up?
Click to expand...

I did get the car pretty warm and adjusting either of the two idle screws had zero affect on idle..
 
"toddwallace" said:
I did get the car pretty warm and adjusting either of the two idle screws had zero affect on idle..
Click to expand...

Sounds like a bad carb to me.
 
Another possibility on the choke is how far you pull it out. I recall driving a '58 Ford a number of years ago with a manual choke and the written instructions (yes the owner provided written instructions!) that included a warning not to pull the choke knob out more than 3/4" when starting the engine. More than that and it wouldn't start. He knew his car!
 
I know that you had it checked for vacuum leaks, but you might want to check that again. Otherwise what Midlife said.

fd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top