Strange stalling on my 87 60

[Zack1978]

I have a feeling that my fuel pump is going bad. Now it has started stalling out. When it was cold I started with the choke on, and I left it running for about 5 min w the choke on. I jumped in the truck and drove out of my development, and turned off the choke. When I got to the main road about 1/2 mile I came to a stop and put it in neutral. It stalled out. I then restarted it and drove on about 3/4 of a mile and came to a stop again, it then stalled out again. I restarted again and got on the highway and drove about 3 miles and then it was fine. It has done this once before a few weeks ago, but only once before!
The reason I say fuel pump is because it starts poorly after sitting for a few days as well. I know that most cruisers start poorly after sitting a few days, but this is abnormal bad starting.

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Zack

 

[swank60]

I'd check the fuel filter first, then maybe clean the carb out, then clean the plugs. Go for the simple stuff first. When the cold weather hits, it really changes the dynamic of how an engine operates. Might also check that hot air valve at the front of the breather inlet and see if it's working right. Might check your air cleaner while you are there, too.

Does it stall if the choke is still pulled? Is it taking longer to warm up?

Start with the small stuff and build up to replacing parts like the fuel pump.

 

[Pskhaat]

What's the performance like otherwise? The fuel pump would have much more issues at high RPMs than simply stalling due to fuel loss. How cold was it? You may simply need to run a mild choke for longer, certainly not uncommon when it's really cold.

In my old 60 which ran like a top, I needed to ease off the choke during driving (not simply just make it open) and often even choke a little more when coming to a stop.

 

[Pskhaat]

Good point, could be the exhaust manifold heat flap (whatever that's called) could be stuck and just takes longer to heat that incoming air in the intake manifold.

 

[Zack1978]

You know it is very strange because it is not very cold out today. Like I said it has only done this once before. Since it has done that it has been very cold a few days and it did not stall out. I guess the only t hing I can say is that it is a bit damp today. The carb is new (Aug 04).

Thank you to everyone who has helped me already!!!

Zack

 

[Zack1978]

1 more thing

I live in the Great State of New Jersey, so I we do get some VERY cold days!

 

[fsusteve]

Tune it up.

 

[87CRUSR]

It's time like these one wishes to have 2 FJ60's or a buddy down the street to compare performance from one rig to another. Even so, it sounds like more than just a choke problem. Start with the easy stuff as previously stated.

 

[Zack1978]

Tune up was done at the end of the summer, but the plugs might be bad because I sea foamed it twice. Would that make the plugs go bad?

Zack

 

[rightlane]

i had a similar problem, it ended up being the wire coming off the carb, had a green? plug that was dirty or just needed fiddling with. i cleaned it and the problem went away. $0!

 

[swank60]

Tune up was done at the end of the summer, but the plugs might be bad because I sea foamed it twice. Would that make the plugs go bad?

Zack

That won't really ruin them, per se, but it'll plug 'em up.

 

[Carpe Discus]

When the cold weather hits, it really changes the dynamic of how an engine operates.

I obviously know that engines start harder, etc. when cold, but never really thought that it could be due to a more fundamental change. Care to explain this further or direct me somewhere that can?

 

[Zack1978]

So everyone thinks the fuel pump is not the cause? Can I rule that out?


Zack

 

[coffmantx]

I just replaced my fuel pump after showing similar symptoms. But I also checked to see if it was leaking and did notice it was wet with fuel on the bottom of the pump. I also noticed my fuel filter was not full of fuel and was only up to about the one third mark. I did not know how old the existing pump was, so i just decided to change it, it's easy enough. Runs a lot better now, no more stalling, although it is running a bit rough, I might need to adjust the mixture a bit.

 

[fsusteve]

Like Swanker says do the simple stuff first, fuel filters and plugs. Then check in again.

 

[TheGr8Doughboy]

I'm fighting a similar problem right now... only it wouldn't even idle. The green plug that rightlane mentions is your fuel cut off solenoid. unplug it and jump it straight to the battery, you should hear a distinctive click. then plug it back up and make sure you still hear the click when you put the key in and turn it to the "run" position. If not, double check the ground or check the wiring double check your engine fuse as well. My connector was corroded so I didn't have to go looking for a short (thank god).
Obviously this may not be the only thing wrong or may not be wrong at all... just someplace to start.
Goodluck
Chris