1969 Pontiac Firebird Runs rough

Tiny
DSIMS31
  • MEMBER
  • 1969 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
Engine Performance problem
1969 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have a 69 pontiac motor that has been rebuilt with HO heads, new radiator, hoses, t-stat, 2 to 3 year old water pump. It starts Ok, but try to drive off and it will stall, once you get past that, it drives ok untill it heats up, then it seems to get vapor lock, the clear inline filter will go completely empty, but still have 6pds pressure, If you loosen the clamp on the filter the line has pressure and gas will fill the filter, I replaced the carb, and that helped the start problems but the engine just seem too hot, Could the cam be wrong? Its a Reed cam 218/228. The radiator temp is 160 but at the t-stat we read 210? Could the headers, cam, and HO heads (10 to 1) all combine to heat up the engine too much?
Saturday, July 11th, 2009 AT 8:50 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Actually, 210 degrees isn't too bad. THe factory t-stat was a 195. As a result, the engine usually ran upwards of 210.

As far as the fuel filter, something is stopping the fuel from getting to the carb. Check the line between the filter and carb. Also, remove the carb and make sure the float isn't sticking and not allowing fuel to enter.

Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 AT 1:37 PM

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