I have a 1984 ta with a 350 v8 it was running great about 2 years ago when the alternator went out. I replaced the alternator and then the starter went out (just before winter) so i let it sit for 2 years (had life get in the way) but now i finaly replaced the starter and the car starts up and as long as i am giving it gas it revs the engine ect.. Ran rough, sputtered, then would die. Start up just fine, I'd rev the gas and it would sound like it mis-fired (will see a spark and hear a popping sound and then a cloud of black smoke from the carb .) then idle down and stall out if i dont give it gas it will die and sometimes it will die while i am giving it gas. At first i thought it was just bad gas but replace gas even added some seafoam. Does anybody have any idea of what this could be? Any help would be a godsend

thanks

 

Carb, correct?

Sounds like a gunked-up carb.

 

yeah it is a carb. are there any simple ways to clean it out? I should probably rebuild the carb but not sure if that's something I can do (kinda new at this). if i do get a rebuild kit do they come with a diagram? and what tools would i need for the project? This weekend I will hopefully replace the fuel filter and the plugs and wires.

thanks for the response i didn't expect one so quickly

 

You might wanna make sure your choke pull-off is workin. If it's not it will idle really rough and sputter black smoke. It's a round thing attached to the side of the carb with 2 screws. It's got a little vacuum line running to the carb and a linkage to the choke. To ckeck it out warm up the engine then take off your air cleaner and see if the chokes open. If it's not pull it open and see how it runs.

 

I wondered about the choke pull-off as well, but since it only has problems at idle, ruled that out.

Gas evaporating over time in a carb almost always leaves things gunked up. About the only way to clean it properly is to take it apart, soak it in a good cleaner, and reassemble it with new parts from a rebuild kit.