I had contacted Lars about his opinion of my possibly adjusting the carb/timing on my '80 L48 as it was shutting off whenever I stopped. It didn't matter much what the idle was set at (unless it was running over 1000rpm in gear with foot on brake) and I had the suspicion that it had sat too long and things got 'gummed up'.

I was close but the problem was not a lack of tune in the carb or timing. I checked the timing and it is dead on what I had set it at the last time I replaced the intake gaskets; approx 24degrees BTDC at 700rpm and 35 degrees by 2500rpm. I then proceeded to drive the car for several days on long trips. The weather has improved here in NW Ohio to the point where we haven't seen a snowfall since back around Dec 29, the roads have cleared of any signs of salt and temps have hovered around 40 degrees or higher for the past week. So, I'm into my third day of driving the car and have replaced all of the gas that was in the tank. I believe that was the major problem; aged gasoline. Also, the car had not been driven often or for very long periods and I suspected the battery needed recharging; secondary problem. Summary: It needed to be driven and new fuel added.

Having replaced a full tank of gas via the steady, long trips, I have managed to tune the idle back down to the point where it will happily idle around 650-700rpm in gear with the foot on the brake. Approx 800-850 in Park. Problem appears to be solved for now.

Just thought I'd share.

 

 

Glad you got it worked out. Maybe put some Stabil in the tank when you park it and hopefully it will keep the gas from doing that again.

 

you know you hear people say that they have no problems with gas that sits for years ....but damn if i have ever found any gas like that ...i think more problems are caused by crappy gas then most people imagine....