The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1951 3100 Stalling on hill

I have a 1951 3100 with a 216. I have had it for about 1 1/2 years, and drove it app. once a week all last summer (stored during winter) with no problems. It is now stalling if going up any considerable grade hill.
I first thought it was vapor lock, as it has been quite hot. I put insulation sleeve on all of the fuel lines, changed the fuel pump and fuel filter (just in case), and even used the old clothes pin trick. It is still doing the same thing.
It seems to be OK on flat terrain.
I have not been able to get the truck home since this first happened because I live on the top of a hill on all approaches to my home, and have been working on it at my brother's garage.
I would appreciate any thoughts as to what could be causing this.

Jasper, I would consider finding a helper and a hill with little traffic and let it stall. Check to see if it still has spark to rule ignition problems in or out. Once it stalls on a hill, will it start by choking it? maybe take a small bottle of gas and dump an ounce or two down the carb after it stalls to see if it will fire.

Jon

Check the nuts which hold the carburetor on. I friend of mine had a problem with stalling when taking sharp turns caused by loose nuts. The nuts were so loose that gravity was the only force making a seal.

Thank you for your replies.
I have since removed the carburetor (Rochester) and gave it a good cleaning, and made sure that the float was moving freely. There was a little sediment at the bottom of the bowl.
I replaced the carb, and it started with no problem and I let it idle for about 3 minutes; I then drove it on level streets for about 1 1/2 mile, stopping at stop signs and traffic signals - no problem. I then made another try at the hill. It took it like a champ with no problem. To my dismay, however, upon stopping at a stop sign about a 1/4 mile after cresting the hill and on level roadway, it stalled.
It started, and I drove it another 1/4 mile to my driveway, and stalled as I was turning in. It continued to stall if I let up on the accelerator and went to idle.
I believe the problem must be in carburetor float somehow, and I will attack the problem from that angle. The fact that it climbed that hill was a mini victory.

Thanks for the replies.
I ended up taking off the carburetor (Rochester) and giving it a good cleaning and making sure the float was free. There was some sediment on the bottom of the bowl.
I replaced the carb and it started with no problem. I made some adjustments and allowed it to idle for about 3 minutes. I then drove it on some level streets for about 1 1/2 miles, stopping for stop signs and traffic signal and encountered no problems, so I decided to take on the hill. It climbed the hill like a champ and made it easily. I was dismayed, however, when I came to a stop sign about 1/4 mile from crest of the hill and on level ground and it stalled. It started and I drove it another 1/4 mile and as I was turning into my driveway it stalled again. From this point on, the engine would stall if I left up on the accelerator to go to idle.
I think this may be a float issue, and may attack the problem from that angle. But making the hill was a mini victory