1972 Stalling Problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 22
From: Old Greenwich CT
1972 Stalling Problems
Just bought a 1972 base model coupe with 41K original miles. It is a numbers matching car. It was stored for 12 years with gas in the tank and this caused rust to get in the fuel system. After having stalling problems, I replaced the tank and fuel lines. The car drove great for a few weeks, but now stalls when th engine is warm. Any ideas what I should be looking for? Any more info needed?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 441
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
The first thing I would do is a complete tune-up if you haven't done so already. If that doesn't solve the problem, you will probably have to get in to the carb. With fuel sitting in the carb for that long, it has got to have a lot of crap in it. Sounds like a nice car. Good luck with it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 441
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Originally Posted by Mick42767
Car has been tuned, but not sure how much time was spent on the carb. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Have you replaced the fuel filter? Even if you have there might have been some junk in the lines /new tank. Replace this first. Beyond that look into the carb rebuild. Make sure all the timing specs are set correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
float & filter
There is a small filter that's installed inside the Qjet ... just inside the big nut where the fuel line attaches. Filter available through most parts store for small $.
The Qjet float does NOT come in most kits. Aged Qjet floats are notorious for becoming gas-logged and "fooling" the motor into thinking it needs more gas ... flooding & rough-running results. Float available through most parts store for small $.
Pull the carb ... pull the top half of carb off & spray-clean out both halves ... install new float ... install new filter.
The suggestion to get a rochester manual is a good one.
*another tip ... if you're not real swift w/ small parts or have diminished eyesight etc ... before you pull carb ... get yourself a clean cardboard box and cover bottom w/ a clean white towel ... do most of your carb work/cleaning in or over the box ... that alone can prevent many headaches.
The Qjet float does NOT come in most kits. Aged Qjet floats are notorious for becoming gas-logged and "fooling" the motor into thinking it needs more gas ... flooding & rough-running results. Float available through most parts store for small $.
Pull the carb ... pull the top half of carb off & spray-clean out both halves ... install new float ... install new filter.
The suggestion to get a rochester manual is a good one.
*another tip ... if you're not real swift w/ small parts or have diminished eyesight etc ... before you pull carb ... get yourself a clean cardboard box and cover bottom w/ a clean white towel ... do most of your carb work/cleaning in or over the box ... that alone can prevent many headaches.
Last edited by jackson; Nov 3, 2006 at 10:46 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 11
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Have you replaced the fuel filter? Even if you have there might have been some junk in the lines /new tank. Replace this first. Beyond that look into the carb rebuild. Make sure all the timing specs are set correctly.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Check to make sure that the choke is opening fully also. It is mechanically operated and controlled by a bi-metal spring that is located on the pass.side of the carb under a metal cover. The spring could be rusty or broken and preventing the choke plate from opening fully.
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 22
From: Old Greenwich CT
These are all great suggestions. That is why I love this forum. The fuel filter has been replaced and is clean. I had a feeling it was the carb. Any idea why this happens only when the car is warm?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 441
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Originally Posted by Mick42767
These are all great suggestions. That is why I love this forum. The fuel filter has been replaced and is clean. I had a feeling it was the carb. Any idea why this happens only when the car is warm?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Fuel sitting in the carb for that long cant be good either... I'm not saying this is causing the stalling, but I bet your carb got a little gummed up and could use some serivice or at least running a higher dosage of carb cleaner additive in the gas.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by Mick42767
These are all great suggestions. That is why I love this forum. The fuel filter has been replaced and is clean. I had a feeling it was the carb. Any idea why this happens only when the car is warm?
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 441
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Originally Posted by Mick42767
Car has been tuned, but not sure how much time was spent on the carb. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by Mick42767
The prize goes to Jackson. The fuel filter in the carb was clogged. Replaced it, the car started right up and ran strong. This forum rocks!
Mick ... there's another "filter" ... it's inside gas tank & known as a "sock" ... a (nylon?) net that slips over the fuel pickup tube at right rear of tank. Sock WILL dissolve over time. You're lucky having a 72 'cause it has a large gas cap ... look down in there and to right rear ... you'll see the gasgage float & the pickup tube ... see if there's a fully-intact sock.
If car sat & rust in tank ... that's likely to persist and clog the carb filter again ...'specially if no sock/bad sock. G'Luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 22
From: Old Greenwich CT
Thanks Jackson. I replaced the fuel tank and lines in October. Once the carb filter was replaced, the car fired up and ran great. Since this is my first Vette (or classic car), I look at it as a learning experience. Thanks for the help!
