Pinto Car Club of America

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 10:29:18 AM

Title: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 10:29:18 AM
Just covering my bases here, in case I can't locate the cause.

My car is a 1977 Pinto and I got her started for the first time since early 2007. I had some major tranny and engine issues so she sat while I worked on her.

Anyways, I got her to start yesturday, but when I give her any gas at all she bogs down and stalls. I rebuilt the carb, new fuel filter, cleaned out the tank. The strainer was dead so I made one out of a strainer I bought from Advance Auto Parts. I did put fresh gas in her, although I did filter the old gas to get the rust & crud out of it.

New spark plugs, same wires, distributor, coil, and module that she ran fine on in 2007. I replace the fuel pump late 2006.

Going to take a look, but not too sure what to look at. Could the timing be too retarded for the car to run? Any info is appreicated, in case I am too stupid to figure it out on my own, which is a BIG possibility.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 12:13:31 PM
Update.. I got the exhaust back on the car so the neighbors wouldn't complain and then tried to start her again. She would do the same thing. Start & stall, start & stall.

Eventually she wouldn't even do that. Just cranking. I pulled the plugs & they are fouling a bit so I'm gonna buy another set. BTW, it is gas fouling, not oil.

What I am wondering is if the timing could be retarded to the point to where it won't run... Possibility maybe?
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on June 27, 2009, 01:12:38 PM
i would tdc it then i would if i were you, check and make sure your cam isn't 180 degrees off. if those check out, then i dont know you might try adjusting it at the distributor.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 01:21:24 PM
I'll give that a go. I was able to get her going by advancing the timing, but it was a bit too inconsistent. When she did start I noticed she was idling very high. I unplugged the idle solenoid & the idle dropped to normal. She was running smoothly when she started but that is hit or miss.

When I TDC it if the distributor is out I will go ahead & reindex it & see what happens.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: blupinto on June 27, 2009, 01:49:55 PM
Matt, how much of the gas in Harold II's tank is old gas? I thought old gas converts into varnish or something like varnish if it has set too long.  ??? ;)
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 01:54:46 PM
Very little.. Maybe a gallon. two at the most. It wasn't too bad, as when I put a little of the old gas in a small metal container it burned & burned & burned.

I did check the distributor index point & it looked to be 180 degrees out  so I pulled it & reset it but now it backfires so I know it is wrong.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: blupinto on June 27, 2009, 02:07:35 PM
Varnish (the useable stuff), rubbing alcohol, (drinking) alcohol, etc. burns and burns, but can they power a car meant to burn fresh or pretty fresh gasoline? It's just my theory...  ;D I know you'll get to the bottom of it... :)
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 02:19:21 PM
Hmmmm.. well you got me there.

I'm pretty sure it has to do with the timing, as when I did have her running she ran so smooth. I have never heard her run as smooth as she did. I think I may have to reset the timing belt but we will see. Gonna reset the distributor & go from there.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: blupinto on June 27, 2009, 02:34:55 PM
I admit I don't know EVERYTHING!  :rolleye: :o ??? ::) ;D I hope it's only a matter of the distributor. Timing belt replacement is not my idea of fun.  :lol: In any caser you've done way more than I have on your girl. I applaud you (even when you jump in the "pool" and yopur shorts separate from you.  :o ;D :devil:)
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 02:55:41 PM
Well, I reindexed the distributor & no start. When I advanced it more & more it got close to starting but still nothing. Next thing I know I looked & realized the distributor is almost all the way advanced. I am gonna pull the timing cover to take a look. I think 75bobcatv6 may have something. Thinking the cam is out some. Had the crank & distributor indexed to number one so if it's off anywhere it'll be at the top. Atleast I won't have to pull the crank gear off to adjust that.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 05:52:50 PM
The !@#$& cam timing is perfect. I am stumped. I need help and I need it now.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 07:23:33 PM
After resting for a minute to get my thoughts in order I went back out & reinstalled the battery and alternator. Tried it again to see if she might have been flooded & no go. I did however, unplug the coil so I can check it and I noticed it is hot. This is only after about 3 cranks so I am going to check it to see if it is bad, and if that tests good I am going to take the module to have it checked.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 07:44:21 PM
The resistance is a little higher than the specs for it. I was at about 1.5 ohms when the book showed about 1.2 if I remember right. My numbers might be a little off but the amount above specs is about .3 ohms more than specs. Going to take the module with me to get it tested and buy 4 more plugs since they don't look too good.

Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 27, 2009, 09:13:46 PM
The problem has changed so I am continuing in a new post
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on June 28, 2009, 04:45:02 AM
i was trying to post earlier but had internet issues. Does it have a ballast resistor on it ? those do go bad. Id check that first before you really get into replacing anything too major.
Title: Re: Car stalls when trying to rev
Post by: r4pinto on June 28, 2009, 09:38:17 AM
Quote from: 75bobcatv6 on June 28, 2009, 04:45:02 AM
i was trying to post earlier but had internet issues. 

I think it was the site. All of a sudden I couldn't get on here but I could get on any other site I tried.