Looking for some input...<RESOLVED!!>

[g8rb8t]

Hey guys - could use some help....

My '74 302 started stalling at a light and stop sign when in drive (or reverse) and stopped with the brakes on. Now it's transformed into sputtering when accelerating and feels like it's stumbling (aka missing slightly) when idling

Here's what I've done to date with no change:

- Turned the idle up slightly
- New Spark plugs
- New Fuel filter by tank (haven't changed carb filter yet)
- Oil Change (didn't expect this to fix it)

Do you think it's time to replace points and/or swap to electronic ignition?

Other thoughts?

 

[savage]

Does it have points or electronic ignition ? It should be one or the other.

 

[g8rb8t]

It has Points

 

[savage]

Do your spark plug wires look ok, I would check to see if the points are adjusted and that they are not war out, and cap.If you have vacuum lines or vacuum caps check to see if they are in good shape.

 

[half cab]

What savage said especially the vacuum deal! Also have you gotten fuel at a different outlet? Sometimes if I get fuel at a different fuel stop if causes. the sputtering!

 

[Action]

Brake booster

Does it have a brake booster?
Jack

 

[g8rb8t]

Manual brakes (front disk)

 

[Action]

Opps

Scratch that idea. Good luck. I have had good luck with pertronics....May be worth a shot and pretty easy.
Jack

 

[g8rb8t]

Ok so I've never installed or adjusted points. Is there a step by step guide or tricks? Had my mechanic do it last time but would love to learn (and save some cash) might go ahead and swap wires too.

Heck, I've never opened the distributor %)

 

[Action]

Points

Points may not need to be adjusted.....They may be toast. Pop the cap and take a look.....It won't bite...lol... move the rotor back and forth by hand,it won't move much. hope it is close to the lobe ( high spot) and just look. see if the points open.
good way to learn and not to much to f---up.
Good luck.
Jack

 

[Action]

Adjust

Adjustment should be done with a dwell meter but there are all kinds of back yard methods that will work.
jack

 

[clarrance]

If your Bronco has been sitting this summer in this hot humid weather, its probably bad gas. I parked mine here in the Knoxville area and didn't drive it for about a month and a half to two months. And when I got it out last week it did the exact same thing you are describing. I put a full can of Seafoam in the tank and it took two days of driving for it to clear up. The gas today sucks, it goes bad really fast. All is good and back to normal driving now.

 

[Action]

True

If your Bronco has been sitting this summer in this hot humid weather, its probably bad gas. I parked mine here in the Knoxville area and didn't drive it for about a month and a half to two months. And when I got it out last week it did the exact same thing you are describing. I put a full can of Seafoam in the tank and it took two days of driving for it to clear up. The gas today sucks, it goes bad really fast. All is good and back to normal driving now.

10-4 to that. Todays gas sucks

 

[g8rb8t]

Thanks gang, will try that (new gas and playing with points)....more to come (might be a while 'til I get back to it)

 

[g8rb8t]

OK, here's the update. Got the points adjusted (thanks Farrell). There wasn't any gap when we checked so reset/adjusted.

It's running a lot better but still stumbling slightly. Just ordered new spark plug wires and then will look to vacuum lines and carb adjustment.

Here's the list to date:
- New fuel filter
- New plugs
- New dist cap, rotor and adjusted points
- New wires (in transit)

 

[Wyflyer]

Adjust your idle air screws and see iF you can hear it speed up and slow down. If one or both is unresponsive, take it off and clean the ports and passages.

 

[Joe473]

Get a dwell meter before you spend too much on other things and check dwell. I think 17 -19 degrees rings a bell. Someone will chime in based on year.

I speak from experience where gap and getting it running are very different from truely tuning in the dwell. My points after using dwell meter ran as good as a pertronix (for about 500 miles)....

 

[g8rb8t]

Thanks gonna order a dwell meter and learn what that's all about.

 

[g8rb8t]

Ok, well thought it was better but now it's the worst yet. Feels like a huge stumble when accelerating.

Here's the list to date:
- New fuel filters (tank and carb)
- New plugs (gap'd to 0.035)
- New dist cap, rotor and adjusted points
- New wires (installed)
- Points adjusted
- Just ran Sea Foam and filled up with 15 gallons of new gas

I ordered a dwell meter and will check on that. Could timing be off? Not sure if something I changed would impact timing but I wouldn't think so?%):-[

Seems like next on the list is:
- Adjusting idle air screws and see if you can hear it speed up and slow down. If one or both is unresponsive, take it off and clean the ports and passages.
- Use dwell meter to check points/tuning
- Check/replace vacuum lines
- Get a timing gun and check timing

Any other ideas?

 

[Action]

Points

How do the points look? Didn't see where you changed them. Could they be cooked?
Good luck
Jack