273 that runs great, sometimes

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Kecmp

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Jun 18, 2019
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Location
Erin, New York
Hello FABO members. I am a new member and a new owner of a 1965 Barracuda with a 273ci with a Carter 2bbl (for now) and 4 speed transmission. My current issue is that the engine can run very strong with no issues, or it can shake, and it appears to be dropping cylinders causing it to run extremely rough if you can keep it running. I have done quite a bit to hopefully correct the issue but I have had no success, just a lot of heart burn. Here is a list of what I have done so everyone will be up to speed as much as possible.
New plugs, points, cap and rotor. Sent the Carter 2bbl out for rebuild. New fuel tank, lines and filter. All new non-ethanol gas. Replaced the ballast resistor and new ignition switch.
Timing is set at 8 degrees btdc, the dwell is 34 degrees. Vacuum advance appears to be working as it should.
Unfortunately the issue is intermittent which makes it hard to pinpoint what is going on. Yesterday I took it out for a run, everything started out fine. About 1/2 mile down the road the motor started to miss, and it would get worse when I gave it gas. Turned around and before I traveled back the 1/2 mile home it was running strong again.
Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated.
 
Did you replace the plug wires?

Kind of sounds like an intermittent missfire.

With the engine running use a stick and move the plug wires around.
 
I rebuilt the 2 barrel on my 67 273 twice before finding a hole in the float. Car would run then get very rich and die. Finally I dissected the thing all across my bench and examined it like an autopsy. Found the hole and had a new one in 2 days from my parts vendor. Fixed the problem, BTW I paid a pro for the first rebuild and found the problem on the third R&R.
 
Id say fuel delivery. bad pump or fuel levels. I had a plugged filter and it would start just fine, idle all day. Id give it gas and a mile down the road it would bog out. it would eventually catch up and drive again only to bog again. If you find your 2bbl intake has a crack, I got one Ill give you. Drive it without an air cleaner and when it starts to miss, pull it over and see if your hand over the carb makes and changes to the idle. IDK how to check the floats in a BBD but it would be helpful if you could after shutting it down right after it bogs.
 
Thanks everyone, you have given me some areas to look at that I had not thought of. I will make a list and update everyone on the results..
 
Then just drive it the sometimes it runs great.
 
I wanted to up those that gave useful suggestions. While checking the Red and Black wires at the fire wall I could see where they had been hot at a some time. Further investigation I found that the red and black wires at the AMP gage were never tightened and that the wires had melted together.
Unfortunately, now I have a rewiring project...
 
Those wires are a common failure unfortunately. There is an "upgrade" called "Mad ammeter bypass" Google it and you will find/understand.
The red and black wires(if the correct ones) from ammeter soldered together is part of that upgrade.
In original form power went in and out obviously on the ammeter.
Hope this offsets some of my sarcasm/wit.
 
Yeah - very common and shouldn't mandate a "complete rewire" unless you want to. Unwrap and expose/inspect the harness that runs adjacent to those wires for their length. If they are the only ones damaged (and probably are) then get the right color and gage wire, splice in (solder or solder/seal connectors) and then re-tape the areas of the harness. Then do the upgrade, and retape.
 
4spdragtop said:
Those wires are a common failure unfortunately. There is an "upgrade" called "Mad ammeter bypass" Google it and you will find/understand.
The red and black wires(if the correct ones) from ammeter soldered together is part of that upgrade.
In original form power went in and out obviously on the ammeter.
Hope this offsets some of my sarcasm/wit.
Click to expand...
I found the upgrade...Thanks
 
I rebuilt the under dash wiring harness today and have it ready to reinstall. In doing so I decided to check the ones in the engine compartment. The previous owner told me that he had repaired these not to long ago. Well his repairs are not up to my standards so I have more wiring to do. I am a believer in "It is better to over do it the first time rather than having to do it over a second time"
I've decided to bite the bullet and order a Pertronix distributor. The have ones that keep the original looks with electronic ignition. Their part numbers: D144600 w/ Ignitor
P/N: D7144600 w/ Ignitor II . If anyone is interested.
Hopefully this will correct my issues.
 
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