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I have the carter 2100 with manual choke on my 235. It starts and idles fine. After I have driven at 40-50 mph for a distance the engine dies when I let off the gas. Any ideas why this happens?

Thanks

Does it restart, or do you have to wait a while?

California gasoline? Is the float set right?

Tons of possibilities:

(1) This carb is calibrated for use with a standard transmission. Are you trying to use it with an automatic?

(2) Is there a pertronix conversion in the distributor? If so, has the generator been replaced with an alternator?

(3) Have you done a compression test on the engine?

(4) Will the engine start immediately and idle?

(5) Is the coil breaking down with heat?

(6) Has the engine compartment been painted to where the battery ground to body is inadequate?

(7) Turning to the carb, are you using the flange mounting gasket supplied BY CARTER???

(8) How many turns out is the idle mixture control screw?

(9) Are you required to use E10? If so, has the carburetor idle circuit been recalibrated for the E10?

Rereading my list, number 2 is the most likely culprit!

Jon.

Jon-- why is 2 the most likely culprit? Just wondering.

Me two.

Electronics items require a stable (constant) voltage to work well. Generators do not produce a stable voltage at idle.

Jon.

Hi all. Thanks for all the responses.

Engine is a rebuilt 235. No electronic setup - points and condenser.
It takes a while to restart and requires full choke. Oh, it would restart and run if truck is moving and the clutch is dumped. I also needed to set the idle higher. I think this plays along with having to close the choke.

Not sure about the coil breakdown and my ground is good.

Again, thanks

Oh. I have an sm420 4 speed transmission.

Thanks

Ooops.

I do not know about the flange mounting gasket by carter. I am using the one for a Rochester. If we are talking about the one between the carb and manifold.

Thanks

If the idle RPM is set too low, the engine will stall when hot. I would suggest using a tachometer, and setting the engine to the specified idle RPM.

See if this fixes the issue.

Jon.

Thanks Jon. Do you take calls other than Monday and Tuesday's?

A friend said this is a common issue with the carter carburators.

I took the carter off and replaced it with a Rochester. It started up and with a little adjustment it ran well. I shut it off and it would not restart.

Now what?

Start at the beginning. I don't think you have a big problem with the carb. I think you have some issues with the ignition. Look for a good rubbing block on the points. Yes I have had that critter fall off. No spark and no go. If the points are OK check the point gap on the high part of the lobe. If all of this is OK then look real hard at the coil. If you are running 12 volts and have a 6 volt coil you will get the coil hot and it will break down or quit. If it survives you will burn the points with too much current. Get a new coil rated for the voltage you are running and try that. Should be able to find one that is not too expensive. Same issues with 2 carbs is trying to tell you to look elsewhere.

To check for wire issues, hot wire the coil right off the battery bypassing the ignition key, resister wire, and wire harness. If it still dies, you now know the wires and switches are good. If it runs, back track up the wires till find a problem.

When it restarts, does it blow black smoke out the tail pipe? does it smell like raw fuel?
Next time it dies, roll to the side of the road and pull the filter for a quick look down the carburetor.

Does it appear wet or dry?
Does it spray fuel when you move the throttle lever?

Don't swapped more then one part at a time, if it made no difference, swap the original back on. You can get into a real mess changing parts, and sometimes never know which one fixed it.

It will be something simple, it always is, as these engines are as simple as it gets.

Joe

Coil? I will try a new coil. Jon mentioned that earlier and now I have a second mention. Sorry, I am slow.

I am running 6 volts.

Thanks to all. I will post all findings

No, I am trying to retire, but the government mandate on ethanol won't let me. I work Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Sat taking care of what transpired on Mon and Tues. If I took calls the other days I would get nothing done other than taking calls.

Jon.

No more so than with any other brand.

Jon.

Thank you Jon.

I bought a replacement 6 volt coil and plan to put it in tomorrow. I will run the truck and see what difference it makes. I also plan to run it with the carter. If I have problems with this setup I will switch carburators back to the Rochester.

I will get past this so I can move on to the next issue.

Thanks again to all for your help

Truck runs fine with new coil and condenser. I switched out the solenoid and the starter kicks over faster, too.

Life is good. Now, on to the next issue