Hey all. New to this forum and have a question. 1959 Plymouth Belvedere 318 recently given new plugs, plug wires, points, rotor, condenser, thermostat; everything adjusted and timed. Ran good for a week then back to old "tricks." Runs great until it's at running temperature, then runs sluggish and bucks after I shift from one to another gear and start to accelerate (3 speed manual trans -- overdrive not working). Once warmed up, seems to need increasing amount of gas just to keep moving forward. Engine rebuilt 4 years ago, carb (Strom 2bb) rebuilt 2 years ago. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

I would think about heated fuel lines which is becoming more of a problem with the newer gasolines. I'm thinking vaour lock and lack of fuel.

 

Beside vapor lock it could be a gummed up carb from the corn enthanol in the gas. Try some Lucas Safeguard.

 

I would install a small phenolic plastic spacer between the carb and intake (.5"-1") and then make sure that none of the fuel lines are running along anything that produces heat (exhaust, engine block, etc.).

The phenolic material is less likely to transfer heat like the alum spacers will. It will help keep the carb from getting warm and the fuel inside of it from vaporizing and then causing the rest to "gel" up.

 

THANKS for your suggestions. The gasline runs along the side of, and across the top of the engine, to the glass filter then the carb. Very close -- less than an inch apart in some places. I will pursue this. Any insulation for the line that would be effective and safe? I can check into this. Otherwise, re-routing the lines and spacing the carb may be the realistic alternatives.

Had the car out this morning -- local, no highway, only about 25-30 mph speeds, and for not too long. Got to operating temperature, ran well, but not gas line likely didn't heat up enough.

Thanks again.