Gran Torino stalls in drive and reverse idles fine in park ans neutral

STARSKYZEBRA3

MEMBER
1976 FORD TORINO
7.0L
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
54,000 MILES

Have a Starsky and Hutch car that idles fine in park and neutral stalls when shifted into drive or reverse has a replaced 429 motor no pollution controls 600 CFM Edelbrock carburetor I have to raise the idle very high around 1200 to 1300 maybe more in order to keep it running when shifted into drive or reverse also to keep it running when steering is forced to either side do I need a new stall converter to idle lower and keep it running

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6 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Has the motor had a more performance cam put in it? That may be the problem and you need to idle it that high to keep the engine running. How old is carb? If older it may need a new power valve and accelerator pump or float level is low.

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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 7:20 AM

STARSKYZEBRA3

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4 POSTS

Yes it does have a high performance Kim the carburetor is brand new

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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 8:13 AM

STARSKYZEBRA3

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4 POSTS

Cam high performance

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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 8:14 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Then the cam may be your problem especially if it will only idle at 1200-1500 rpm. And you mentioned a higher stall speed converter. That is why they are made because performance cams have a lot of valve overlap for power and it screws up the idle so they put a higher stall speed converter in it to compensate. If you hear kind of a whistle when it idles then this is the case with your car. Air cleaner off to hear it.

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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2015 AT 8:18 AM

STARSKYZEBRA3