He-si-ta-tion (1 Viewer)

[rgentry]

My engine has just started hesitating and stuttering. Hard to get
up to speed. Here at the details:

'68 F engine
great compression, just checked, plugs look good
new non-USA distributor w/ points and condensor
new fuel filter, just re-checked to see that it's clean
new fuel pump, healthy flow at carb

and ...

I just replaced the carb with my spare carb to see if it would
make the stuttering go away. It did not!

So, what's left? All I can think of is the coil or the condensor.
Would a bad coil or condensor cause the engine to stutter at
higher speeds? Note that the engine idles just fine, purrs like a kitten.

I'm stumped.

 

[Elk Hunter]

Replace the coil (it's cheap). You may want to taka a closer look at your plug wires. When were they last checked? I recently tuned up my 68' FJ40 (stock setup). When I started, I had all kinds of symptoms....I replaced all of the normal stuff (points, plugs, wires, dist. cap, rotor button, ignition coil) and she is running like new. Keep us posted.

 

[Jukelemon]

I did not see timing as a variable checked off. As well, you mentioned high speeds AND getting up to speed. Both or just one?

 

[CruisinGA]

I had high speed stuttering (70<), it was from a worn out distributor that had an oscillating shaft and no vacuum advance.
Replaced with a late 2F (81-87) electronic, ball-bearing vac advance distributor and now I can run all the way to the top of the RPM range with no stuttering at all.
Sounds like your problem is more serious though, if it actually gives you trouble just getting up to speed.

 

[rgentry]

Hmm. Some good suggestions here. The distributor is
brand new so I can't imagine that it won't hold timing.
The timing was dead on two months ago when I installed
the new distributor, but I will check it again.

I think that the plug wires idea is a good one. I did put an
aftermarket set of wires on last year but they don't look
that great (and it's hard to tell whether they are "snapping"
onto the end of the plugs).

I have a spare condensor so I will try to fix it in this order:
condensor, coil, wires. I'll let you know what happens.

 

[Romer]

How old is your fuel filter, if its old and partially clogged it could delay the fuel to the carb. Cheap thing to replace and if you haven't done it in a few years, time you did anyways.

 

[rgentry]

Fuel filter is AOK. I can blow right through it.

 

[IDave]

I like the checking timing and replacing plug wires suggestions. I agree that a new dizzy is unlikely to wobble.

You might try setting the timing using the max vacuum method, rather than the timing ball. I find my NonUSA dizzy likes a fair amount of advance to run well. Also, what is your dwell angle?

 

[Jukelemon]

What type of carb? What type of air intake system? Perhaps your choke cable is not not shutting the choke all of the way i.e. fuel system is starving for air. It sounds like you have ruled our fule delivery and ruled out spark. All that is left is air or lack off.

 

[Jukelemon]

I really need a spell check or typing lessons.

 

[rgentry]

FIXED.

Points in the new distributor were almost completely
closed. Had they completely closed, the engine
would not have run at all, and I would have found
the problem quickly. As it was, the stumble really
had me thinking it was a fuel problem, but of course
it was not.

Thanks everyone, and remember, don't overlook the
obvious stuff.

 

[CruisinGA]

Never forget:
If you think its a fuel problem, check the ignition.
If you think its an ignition problem, check the fuel system.