The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 216 loss of power + stalling under load

Hey Y'all,

I just got back from a 30 mile round trip commute. The trip to work was great(down hill). The trip home was not so great. It seems while traveling up hill (decent grade) I was unable to maintain 40 MPH and actually stalled.

The engine starts and drives around town normally. We were fighting another stalling issue and since replaced the fuel filter and pump.

I was able to get it restarted and continue for short uphill trips, then stall, wait, and try again.

I'm also not sure if the temp gauge is giving me an accurate reading. It never seems to move much above 100. Today, however, it moved to between 100 and 180.

Any thoughts?

Thanks! Gotta run check back soon.

J&K

Sounds like a possible Carb float adjustment issue. Had this happen with my '55, would run good on flat ground just to 60 mph, push it any harder it would fall on it's face. Check it out and good luck.

Have you checked the screen filter/strainer on the pickup in the tank? (If it has one)

-I ask because one of my trucks did this, would run around the block OK, but would surge and die as fuel demand increased under constant load. It was pretty confusing, because by the time you got out and looked at the see-through filter it had time to pull enough fuel to fill it back up. I finally caught it and realized what it was. I pulled off in a good spot, pulled the sender/pickup out: and oh my God, the horror! Totally plugged with rust. Couldn't even see the mesh anymore. Cleaned it up with a wire brush and was back on the road in a few minutes like nothing had happened.

Thanks guys. We have the original carb and will prob rebuild it as the current carb has been sitting around for years.

We havent looked in the tank yet. Thats one of our next chores. the level doesnt read properly so something is going on.