I just picked up this 'bird that has been sitting for approx. 6 months and now after fixing the starter issue it runs horribly. It takes it a few attempts to start it when cold, and when it does catch and run the idle is very rough. There is no power in any rpm range and the engine sputters right off of idle when trying to drive. The only thing I have checked on the carb is the choke valve and that seems to be operating correctly. I am used to tuning motorcycle carbs but this Q has stumped me, not really familiar with them.

Things I have done so far (no difference in engine behavior before or after):

1) New starter and battery
2) All new belts (belt for AIR pump removed)
3) New Air Filter, PCV valve, Breather filter and Fuel filter.
4) Car was on Empty when I got it and it has since been filled with fresh fuel with a carb cleaner additive

Tonight I will be:
1) Replacing EGR Valve (seems to be stuck)
2) Checking timing

In the next week or so:
1) Check and replace if necesary rotor and dizzy cap
2) Replace plug wires and plugs

Anything else to look out for??? I have no information as to how the car ran before it was parked so I am running rather blind here. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

first, when you turn the key to run, make sure you hear a clicking noise from the top front of the carb, if not the mixture control selennoid is messed up.

second, check to make sure the accelerator pump is working. work the linkage like you're flooring it and look for two shocts of gas into the primary bores.

third, spray some carb cleaner into that bastard, and hope you don't have to rebuild! But rebulding really isn't that hard.

 

SkyWarrior, thanks for the tips, the mixture solenoid is indeed clicking. I will have to wait until a day when I'm off to check the accelerator pump.

Update: When taking it on it's daily short drive around the block a few times, when the car is floored it stumbles up until about 2000 rpm and then picks up and runs like I think the anemic 305 should. Nice pull but nothing to write home about....

 

also, make sure you're secondary air valve has some tension to it, if it just flops open that could cause the sumble to 2000rpm, and make sure the vaccuum diaphram for the secondaries still works, if it does work the linkage rod should be pulled all the way forward at idle and holding the secondary airvalve closed.