'68 Barracuda Notch

When I swapped the engine over from the red car, it got a new electronic distributor, cap and rotor and I upgraded to Trailbeast's HEI system. I put in new plugs and wires as well. The timing is set to 13° of initial timing currently with my idle rpm just over 900. I did try to adjust the idle mixture screws as well; I don't remember what they are set at though, but it didn't improve anything when I adjusted them. I haven't adjusted the floats.

When the car first starts, unless you give it some gas, it just wants to die. After a little bit of time it will just barely idle without shutting off. Putting it in gear and giving it any kind of gas just makes it want to die. I have to get the car rolling at idle before any significant amount of throttle. Once the car has warmed up a bit, it doesn't want to die from a stand still, but there is a lag between pushing the pedal and getting anything to happen. When it does finally move, it feels almost like a surge. I'll chirp the tires backing out of the driveway.

The car runs hot at about 2/3 up the gauge while moving and if I slow down or stop, it starts to creep up from there. I've read that bad tuning could cause this. I have a 26" radiator with a shroud. It seems to provide good airflow. I have an external transmission cooler in front of the radiator, but I can't imagine it blocks enough airflow to cause that much of a problem. The fan clutch seems to be working. I don't know the condition of the thermostat or water pump.

And on top of everything, while I was out driving it tonight, the headlight switch (I think) finally gave up the ghost and I lost parking lights and tail lights. The fuse seemed good and I know it could be something else, but the dimmer function has been real spotty recently, so I'm placing my bets on the switch.