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ray_mcavoy · 10-24-2010, 08:22 PM

Hi skyreep1,

Standard procedure with most carb rebuilds is to turn the idle mixture screws all the way in until they lightly seat (don't tighten them or you'll damage them). Then back them out an equal number of turns (usually about 2 or 3). That'll give you a baseline setting where the engine should idle decent enough for you to fine tune the idle mixture. Note that you might have to back off the idle speed screw (over on the driver side by the throttle lever) if the engine is idling too fast.

The hesitation/sputtering could be due to a number of problems. Like a vacuum leak, retarded ignition timing, stuck/inoperative advance mechanism in the distributor, bad condenser, passages in the carburetor that didn't get thoroughly cleaned during the rebuild, and so on.

Check the shift linkage to make sure something didn't come loose or unhooked. The movement of the shift lever shouldn't be overly smooth/easy. You should feel a bit of resistance as it "clicks" through the detents in the transmission.

Also make sure the transmission is full of fluid and that the fluid doesn't smell burnt.

10-24-2010, 08:22 PM	#2
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,373	Re: Stalling and shifting help? Hi skyreep1, Standard procedure with most carb rebuilds is to turn the idle mixture screws all the way in until they lightly seat (don't tighten them or you'll damage them). Then back them out an equal number of turns (usually about 2 or 3). That'll give you a baseline setting where the engine should idle decent enough for you to fine tune the idle mixture. Note that you might have to back off the idle speed screw (over on the driver side by the throttle lever) if the engine is idling too fast. The hesitation/sputtering could be due to a number of problems. Like a vacuum leak, retarded ignition timing, stuck/inoperative advance mechanism in the distributor, bad condenser, passages in the carburetor that didn't get thoroughly cleaned during the rebuild, and so on. Check the shift linkage to make sure something didn't come loose or unhooked. The movement of the shift lever shouldn't be overly smooth/easy. You should feel a bit of resistance as it "clicks" through the detents in the transmission. Also make sure the transmission is full of fluid and that the fluid doesn't smell burnt.