Pinto Car Club of America

ok my 2300 in my wagon. auto trans. put a rebuilt carb on it and changed ign. to 77 electronic. runs great on freeway.. but when i slow to idle it stumbles and shakes and feels like it could stall at any sec. i don't feel any vac leaks.. ive wound the air fuel screw in and out a bit and no change. moved timing a little.. i can get it to idle up a little but usually slows back down and sounds like death warmed over and gaspign for air before death.. ideas on what might be up with it??..... thanks roy in SC

Roy when you turn idle mix screw all the way in engine should stop running. Sounds like you have air leak but could be valves. While engine running spray all intake connections with WD-40 if idle speeds up then there is youre air leak.  Fred   :)

Did you have this problem befor you rebuilt the carb?  how many mile on the engine?
mine is somewhat the same  untill it gets realy warm (like a 30  mile drive)   then it usualy is ok.  i have not rebuilt my carb.  76 /90,000 or so miles
phils toys

it ran rough when i got it so i got the carb and put it on.. and still idles rough. but its a champ on the road.. cruises down the freeway at 70mph and over 30mpg easly..... thanks. roy

Quote from: phils toys on June 08, 2009, 10:11:08 PM
Did you have this problem befor you rebuilt the carb?  how many mile on the engine?
mine is somewhat the same  untill it gets realy warm (like a 30  mile drive)   then it usualy is ok.  i have not rebuilt my carb.  76 /90,000 or so miles
phils toys

thanks fred i'll check. woudla compression test show the valves?. it runs great on the highway... roy

Quote from: Fred Morgan on June 08, 2009, 10:09:12 PM
Roy when you turn idle mix screw all the way in engine should stop running. Sounds like you have air leak but could be valves. While engine running spray all intake connections with WD-40 if idle speeds up then there is youre air leak.  Fred   :)

Roy for accuracy best way turn crank until cylinder you are checking is on compression go top dead center pump  air into cylinder go back listen to ex pipe for air leaking past ex valve, then air filter off listen for air leak at carb, intake valve leak, now pull oil fill cap off listen for air leak this is to check rings.  Fred   :)         

Just a thought, but you might also want to remove the valve cover and check out the camshaft if you have not already done so. Many of us have had problems like you described and it ended up being a worn cam lobe. If that is the case I would suggest to going with a roller cam and rockers to help prevent the problem. They can be found on mid to late 80's 2.3 engines going up to about 1992.