I have a '60 Comet w/144 engine that has been sitting for about 6 months. I tried to start it and noticed the fuel pump was leaking so I replaced it along with new fuel line and filters before and after the pump. The car fires up fine and runs at idle. As soon as I put it in gear it dies. If I give it some gas it will go but dies as I let off. It ran and shifted fine before being parked 6 months ago. Could this be as simple as needing new points, plugs, etc...? Or am I looking at bigger problems here?
Also check for vacuum leaks...my O/T van does that all the time when the main vacuum line tree fitting works itself loose...
For sure put fresh gas in it. +1 on checking for vacuum leaks but usually they won't idle good if you have a vacuum leak. I'd check the accelerator pump to make sure it is working at just off idle and then probably put a bottle of good carb cleaner in the tank to see if that helped clean the crud out. One more thing to check is to grab the top of the airhorn and twist it back and forth to see if the screws that hold the carb together are tight. I had that problem with the Ford 6 in my daughters car with similar symptoms. You have to pull the carb off to tighten the screws if that is the case. That carb is easy and inexpensive to rebuild and just may need a good clean out and new kit.
Is your car equipped with an anti-stall dashpot? If so it might be bad, some were adjustable too. They were found mostly on stick shift cars. I had a bad one on my '65 Falcon with the 170 and it was ok once I replaced it. Bob
the connections inside the dizzy are good filled the tank with new gas not sure, but it has an auto trans with fluid topped
My bet, is vacuum leak, had same problem. Low vacuum (due to leak), rpm's lower when shifting into gear = not enough vacuum to keep running
Ok, so...new plugs, wires, points, condensor, and vacuum advance. It's better, but not 100%. I have to baby the throttle to get it to stay running in gear. My manual shows that I should have an anti-stall dashpot on the carb. It's missing. I think Bobss396 may be the winner. Does anyone have a spare '60 Comet/ Falcon carb laying around that I can swipe the dashpot from along with the bracket and screw that hold it? Are these 1908's? I think the '60 is different than the later ones.
That makes it one in a row for me, yeehaw! They should be around new with the bracket, I did a quick look just before, but these weren't vintage parts sites. Good luck and hope someone or you can find what you need to get your ride running better. Bob
I had the same issue with my cad motor I don't know If it's the same issue but with mine I had zero compression In the #1. Cylinder due to 2 bent push rods (rebuild guy put Rocket ***embly on wrong) so maybe a compression check Too...
How much timing advance are you running at idle, and is that with the vacuum disconnected? Try advancing it a bit and see what happens.
Check the dwell, if you fooled with the timing or new points you'll have to set the dwell. If it's off it will do exactly what you are describing.
Check idle mixture screw with engine in drive for a smooth idle, it may just be a tad lean. What is the compression like? Engine could be weak in compression department. It will idle fine, but with a load it may not.
I rebuilt the carb and it runs like a top. But, now when I put it in reverse, it makes a loud "clank". It doesn't do it when I put it in drive. It's a 2-speed auto. Ideas?
This may be a long shot, but pull off the dist cap and make sure the mechanical advance isn't sticking from sitting so long. A sticking advance could leave your engine with no guts at or near idle speed. A weak ign or tight torque convertor could do that too. I also support the "bad gas" theory. Sometimes you get bad gas on a fresh fill up. If you are cheap like me---- It would pay to start pulling very fresh gas straight from a good can while you work out the troubles, then after it runs good, you can re-introduce the "old" gas a bit at a time with the good fresh gas you just put in the tank. That way you won't be tempted to skip over the likely "bad gas" possibility because of the thought of wasting money.
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