The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Stumbles on idle and dies

Hi.. my 261 engine has worked perfect up until this last week. Went for annual safety check, and it passed but RIGHT outside the building at a crossroad it died when I stopped for redlight. Was VERY hard to start.
Same thing happened later this weekend several times.

I will remove the carb coming weekend and check it up.
Couldn't see any leaks when I looked but it sure smelled a lot of fuel.

When it has died it runs "fine" again only with a bit of choke, if I push the choke in completely it starts rumbling and dies again. Then all of a sudden it runs perfect again.

I guess a good cleaning can do the trick so that's the first thing to do coming weekend.

I would go for fuel delivery. Probably sediment in the tank that gets around the fuel pick up. Once you stop and move around a little it goes away from the pick up and lets you start again.

I removed the tank when I got the truck because of that.
Use a 60 liter oil barrel hanging on the outside of the frame.

Have fixed a "new" tank from another 59 that has no rust.
It will replace the temporary tank for next year. Just need a new fuel sending unit.

I will clean the the carb to begin with, not that much left of this season now.

Hi,Ulf! my 261 had the same symptoms,and the culprit was the carb. The halves warped to the point that it was sucking more air than fuel. It would only idle with choke closed,and "fell on its face",when up-shifting. It would stall,and starting afterwards was difficult at best. Probably not too many spare carbs,in the Netherlands,but there is a tech tip,on "youtube",on how to re-align a warped carburetor. I'll see if I can find the link,and post it "Here"...https://youtu.be/V2AINKEauVM

I will remove it and check it completely.

I have an old WEBER carb, 36/36, might come in handy as replacement if needed.

GREAT movie THANKS

Carb removed and cleaned. Looked like CRAP inside.
So did the fuel filter.

After cleaning and a new fuel and air filter I fine tuned the carb... the truck runs like a champ again.

Time to fix the inside of the tank

GLAD to hear your truck is "Back in Business"!

Just installed a roots hexatone air horn kit in it
My neighbours hate me.