Carb question--OT

[Joe Flanagan]

Is it possible for a carburetor to have problems when under load but run fine at idle or while cruising? I just tuned up my pickup truck and also bled the clutch and adjusted the pedal. When I first start out, it feels like a brand new clutch, but once the engine gets warm, it starts bucking when I let the clutch up in first and second. Also, when I accelerate, I can feel the engine bogging down slightly. I suspect the carburetor because it's been sticking on high idle and you have to keep stabbing the accelerator to get it to come down. If you acclerate away from a stop sign, it sets back up to high idle again. No amount of Gumout has fixed it. I replaced the plugs, distributor cap, rotor, and wires. Also shot the heck out of the carb with cleaner. Now, in addition to sticking on high idle, it now occasionally surges during idle. Once it comes down, it's fine. I stopped short of giving the carb a thorough going over, obviously, but I think it might be the problem. My theory is that it's out of adjustment and stumbles when under load. This condition existed somewhat prior to the tune-up and clutch adjustment. It felt like it would buck and miss a little while cruising in third. It is most noticeable when you let up the clutch and only after the engine has warmed up. When the engine is cold, the clutch feels like new. Any thoughts?

Oh, and to add to the mystery, I was driving down the highway a few days ago and I felt something flapping against the underside of the vehicle, or just hitting it lightly. Seemed like it made its way out the back of the truck, like something either came off or I ran over something. A second later, the engine just died. I drifted off to the side of the highway and opened the hood. The coil wire was yanked completely free of its terminal on the distributor. I plugged it back in, the car started up, and I was on my way. At this point I think I ran over something and it caught the wire and pulled it free. I started noticing problems the day after. Could be there's a vacuum hose pulled loose, too, I suppose.

[Frank Blackstone]

I think you have Gremlins, but that is just me not knowing what else it could be. I am replying to get you back at the head of the list of topics so some of the wiser members, yes there are a few, can give you some better answers. If you can't be handsome at least be handy, Frank

[james curl]

Many a good carburetor has been messed with when the problem was ignition. Check your vacuum advance and also make sure the mechinical advance is free and working. Then check your timing.

[Joe Flanagan]

OK, thanks James. I had the vacuum advance in mind, actually. And thanks, Frank, for the boost.

[Joe Flanagan]

Just for those who might be curious, the other day I checked the two hoses that go to the vacuum advance on the distributor. One of them looked like it had a pinhole in it. Very slight, and I couldn't tell if it went all the way through, but I replaced both hoses. End of problem. My truck runs great now. I wasn't willing to believe it at first, but I drove it all day yesterday and not a single hiccup. But my exhaust system is going. So on to that project.