Post by nainz on Jun 25, 2005 16:21:05 GMT -5
I apologize for either misplacing the topic or whatever, but I need some help and I'm not sure what to do.
We recently purchased a yellow '76 Pacer D/L from Florida (we live in Virginia... long drive) and when we first got it, it putted a bit and didn't go above 30 mph. We assumed it was just the plugs and the wires, but after examining them, they looked almost band new. I continued to drive my beloved car up and down the road every day in hopes of maybe figuring out the problem. One day the car let out a bit of exhaust and then hummed away, going well over 30 and driving amazingly. For the next 3 weeks or so, it drove like a charm. Started up every time on the first try and only in the mornings did it putt for about 10 feet before kicking in and driving fine. However, one day it refused to start and on closer examination, our neighbor, who is also a mechanic, assumed the car had no spark. We replaced the coil and sure enough, it started right up.
About 3 or 4 days later while in town, the car just stalled out and refused to start again. We had to have it towed and for 3 days it was in the shop. They told us the choke was sticking and, after cleaning out all the crap that was glogging it, we picked it up. On the way home, it stalled out in the middle of an intersection in 100 degree weather. Frustrated, we called the mechanic to come tow it again and after another 3 days we picked it up again. He said it ran fine and he couldn't figure out why it would be doing that. So we took it to another mechanic and there it sat again for 6 or 7 days. The shop told us the coil had burned out and they replaced it. Well, we had just replaced the coil so this made no sense. It drove home fine and we assumed the coil we had bought had gone out too.
Then, just 2 days ago I was driving home and car made a strange noise and shot out a lot of black smoke from the back before stalling out (again) in the middle of traffic. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road and, by simply tapping the carburetor flap so it shut (I had taken the air filter off as it was suffocating the engine because it was so old. I was in town to buy a new one) the car started right up and, fearing another break down, I drove it home and it ran great, surprisingly.
This brings me to where I am now. Yesterday the car broke down again and under similar circumstances to the day before, black smoke shot out and I stalled. Trying everything I could, the engine would not start! The mechanics had left the old coil in my trunk so, having no other options, I reattached the old coil. Fired right up! Drove fine on the way home and in the driveway it sits. Well, we've gone through 2 coils, and air filter (did have it replaced) and countless breakdowns. I'm really not sure what's wrong with it or what to replace. The air filter, however, is missing a screw that connects into the carburetor which may form an air-tight vaccuum. However, this doesn't explain why the car would stall and then not start again. My battery is brand new, so this is not the case. Perhaps there is a faulty wiring that is not allowing the car to get another juice? Has anyone had a similar problem or know what this might be? Please help us.
It's a shame, too. The car is in beautiful, preserved condition and the engine should be fairly simple to work on. The previous owner said he drove it to work almost every day with no problems but hadn't drive it within a year of selling it to us. Perhaps it just needs a tune-up? Help? Anyone?
We recently purchased a yellow '76 Pacer D/L from Florida (we live in Virginia... long drive) and when we first got it, it putted a bit and didn't go above 30 mph. We assumed it was just the plugs and the wires, but after examining them, they looked almost band new. I continued to drive my beloved car up and down the road every day in hopes of maybe figuring out the problem. One day the car let out a bit of exhaust and then hummed away, going well over 30 and driving amazingly. For the next 3 weeks or so, it drove like a charm. Started up every time on the first try and only in the mornings did it putt for about 10 feet before kicking in and driving fine. However, one day it refused to start and on closer examination, our neighbor, who is also a mechanic, assumed the car had no spark. We replaced the coil and sure enough, it started right up.
About 3 or 4 days later while in town, the car just stalled out and refused to start again. We had to have it towed and for 3 days it was in the shop. They told us the choke was sticking and, after cleaning out all the crap that was glogging it, we picked it up. On the way home, it stalled out in the middle of an intersection in 100 degree weather. Frustrated, we called the mechanic to come tow it again and after another 3 days we picked it up again. He said it ran fine and he couldn't figure out why it would be doing that. So we took it to another mechanic and there it sat again for 6 or 7 days. The shop told us the coil had burned out and they replaced it. Well, we had just replaced the coil so this made no sense. It drove home fine and we assumed the coil we had bought had gone out too.
Then, just 2 days ago I was driving home and car made a strange noise and shot out a lot of black smoke from the back before stalling out (again) in the middle of traffic. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road and, by simply tapping the carburetor flap so it shut (I had taken the air filter off as it was suffocating the engine because it was so old. I was in town to buy a new one) the car started right up and, fearing another break down, I drove it home and it ran great, surprisingly.
This brings me to where I am now. Yesterday the car broke down again and under similar circumstances to the day before, black smoke shot out and I stalled. Trying everything I could, the engine would not start! The mechanics had left the old coil in my trunk so, having no other options, I reattached the old coil. Fired right up! Drove fine on the way home and in the driveway it sits. Well, we've gone through 2 coils, and air filter (did have it replaced) and countless breakdowns. I'm really not sure what's wrong with it or what to replace. The air filter, however, is missing a screw that connects into the carburetor which may form an air-tight vaccuum. However, this doesn't explain why the car would stall and then not start again. My battery is brand new, so this is not the case. Perhaps there is a faulty wiring that is not allowing the car to get another juice? Has anyone had a similar problem or know what this might be? Please help us.
It's a shame, too. The car is in beautiful, preserved condition and the engine should be fairly simple to work on. The previous owner said he drove it to work almost every day with no problems but hadn't drive it within a year of selling it to us. Perhaps it just needs a tune-up? Help? Anyone?
