Sounds like a carb issue to me.

Carb cleaner through some of the passages might clear it up. I've never really used those those carb/injector treatments you add to the tank, but in theory it might might be useful for something like this.

Otherwise go grab a rebuild kit.

Check for vacuum leaks first though.

 

Bad accelerator pump, possibly?

 

I have a carb kit coming tomorrow, they had to bring it from another location. I timed the engine, (had a hard time reading my timing tab). It sounded good idling in the garage, but still once I let out the clutch to take it for a ride, it performed terribly. It reminded me of the way an old Volkswagen bug would sound. PATHETIC! Any carburetor advice, do's or dont's?


__

 

Once you change points, you have to set dwell then timing in that order. What are those settings? That has to be right before getting into the carb.

 

You may find this troubleshooting checklist handy. It was recentley recommended to me from another Team Chevelle Member. Good Luck!

http://www.championparts.com/carb_troubleshooting_guide.pdf

 

Check for vacuum leak, simple but could really lean things out.

I've always run carb cleaner into the vent tubes of the carb for the first run of the season, never had gum issues with the gas that way. Might be worth a try, too.

 

Thanks for all the help. I ended up bringing it a friends shop. I won't have much time to work on it, and would like to have it for a show on Sunday. I am much more of a restoration paint and detail type of person. I like to restore, recondition, disassemble, and put it back together. Trouble shooting a mechanical issue like this frustrates me. The car ran great last year and for the first drive this year, then in just an instant at a stoplight it started to run terrible. I will let you guys know what the problem is once I hear from the shop.



__

 

todd, did you happen to put gas in the car just before it started to run crappy? twice this year so far, i've gotten rotten gas when i filled up with 93 octane. i think it's because not many people buy the 93 grade, so it sits in their tanks longer and goes rotten. the last time it happened, i put a can of seafoam in and it helped a lot until i could run the crappy gas out. the next time i filled up at a different station and the problem was solved. you can also fill up with a lower grade and add your own octane boost. good luck.

 

Is your float sticking, possible from gas that may have gone bad and gummed up the needle and seat.

 

Ken, and Tim, you guys were both on the right track. The carb was messed up, varnished and gummed up. I usually put in the non-oxygenated fuel and a stabilizer. My friends shop put in a carb kit, that I had bought. The real problem is that I don't drive it often enough. My car was brought home tonight, I have not had a chance to drive it or hear it run, In fact I haven't seen it in a couple days. (working some crappy hours). I will drive it tomorrow and give some feedback. Happy it wasn't something worse.


__

 

Good deal Bro.
Not related but I would for sure put a stock HEI in it.
When I put mine in it was a good choice for a few reasons. Plus you dont have to dick with points ever again. Get a spare module too and keep it in the trunk.

 

The carb issue doesnt supprise me, carbs dont like to sit. My first guess would have been fuel pressure. Enough to keep it idling but not enough when you put a load on it when you let the clutch out.