[Brent67CAT]

I have a 67 4DR HT CATALINA, with a 400CI and auto trans 143 heads 2GC carb and single exh. with 2.41 rear gears. Lately whenever I come to either a stop light or sign the car wants to DIE, and sometimes does. It sounds like it is struggling to stay alive. I have to get out and lift the hood and close up the choke and sometimes jump the battery with a jumper-pak. But when I hit the gas the car wants to FLY down the road and never stop! I have a YC block with new plugs,wires,cap & rotor and battery. I've reset the timimg back to 6DEGS BTDC as per the manual with the dist. vac line clamped. I've also noticed that I have smoke coming out near the head/manifold area which makes me believe that I have a blow-by problem as well. The car is ALL original stock and seems that Superman tightened all the bolts!!! I ended up breaking one of the flange to manifold bolts clean off when trying to change the exhaust gaskets and now have to drill and wind off the bolt. Any suggestions for dealing with overtightened bolts, I have smoke coming out from the fenders now, until I can get it done.I plan on getting a manual choke cable system today so I won't have to keep getting out and lifting the hood, I know that its a simple solution BUT I need a BETTER one!!

[Brent67CAT]

I have a 67 4DR HT CATALINA, with a 400CI and auto trans 143 heads 2GC carb and single exh. with 2.41 rear gears. Lately whenever I come to either a stop light or sign the car wants to DIE, and sometimes does. It sounds like it is struggling to stay alive. I have to get out and lift the hood and close up the choke and sometimes jump the battery with a jumper-pak. But when I hit the gas the car wants to FLY down the road and never stop! I have a YC block with new plugs,wires,cap & rotor and battery. I've reset the timimg back to 6DEGS BTDC as per the manual with the dist. vac line clamped. I've also noticed that I have smoke coming out near the head/manifold area which makes me believe that I have a blow-by problem as well. The car is ALL original stock and seems that Superman tightened all the bolts!!! I ended up breaking one of the flange to manifold bolts clean off when trying to change the exhaust gaskets and now have to drill and wind off the bolt. Any suggestions for dealing with overtightened bolts, I have smoke coming out from the fenders now, until I can get it done.I plan on getting a manual choke cable system today so I won't have to keep getting out and lifting the hood, I know that its a simple solution BUT I need a BETTER one!!

[David Jones]

Where's the smoke coming from? Seems like it could also benifit from a little more timing.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/DavidJones69GTO.html

[SJMule]

Check for a vacuum leak.

Mule

1973 Grand Prix SJ455
1969 GTO 428

[Kenth]

Brent, you said you´ve reset the initial with the hose clamped(while still connected?).
Was the hose clamped with engine running?
In that case your timing may be set way late.
Be sure to disconnect and plug the hose before setting initial.
Also check that vacuum advance can is working and connected to manifold vacuum when you´re finished.
I presume you´ve got 30 degrees dwell on the points?

[ELKHORNAOG7]

I would go along with MULE, check for a vaccumm leak also if you have a vaccum leak this can drop the vaccum on your engine and not let the pcv valve have the proper vaccum to pick up this extra smoke that you see good luck BOB

[Brent67CAT]

I set the timing ( BEFORE ) with the dist vac line removed and clamped, then set timing at 6DEGS BTDC as per the manual.The smoke I spoke about is coming from the head/manifold area and causes me to believe that it is a head gasket problem ( its a white colored smoke ) I've picked up my own timing light today ( had to keep borrowing the neighbors ) and ( think ) that if I set the timing alittle more advanced it might help, Am I wrong with this idea? Thanks Brent

[David Jones]

It should make the idle stronger. Sounds like you also have other issues. Spray some WD-40 or other solvent around the intake carb area. If you pick up some rpm you have a vacuum leak.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/DavidJones69GTO.html

[Ollie]

I agreee with the vaccum leak, spray some thing like WD40 along the manifold/head gasket. If the idle picksup you have found the leak.

Its ok to giggle and snicker, Dont laugh and point

[67cruiser]

It could be a power valve sticking!! along with a vacum leak!! Id take top of carb. off pull out the power valve or pump it up and down to see if its sticking!! if so a little gummout and a piece of crocus cloth would greatly help!! A buddy of mine running a tri-power just had a similiar problem power valve spring broke!! Would not idle at all die all the time!! i had a few extra.s and with a little patience and some time his car is running perfect!!

[big_gto]

Had the same problem with my `72 Cat 400 2bbl. I rebuilt the carb and adjusted the choke level. no more problems. My guess was the dried out gaskets causing and internal "bleeding".