Need a Bird-Brain

September 03, 2016, 10:28:00 AM

I have a problem with my 1983 T-bird---it has a 3.8l engine that continues to hesitate/ stutter/fall on its face when i accelerate from a rolling or dead stop.
I can "pump the pedal" to get it to recover but this is driving me nuts! the car has a rebuilt OEM (non trottle-body-injection)carb. I had the same problem on an "84 Bird" I owned back in the 90's but I really don't remember
what chain of events fixed it. I'm not a huge fan of the 3.8L engine......but I have to limp this one along until i can trans-plant a 351W and go beast-mode.
So since my brain can't remember----I need a Fellow Bird-Brain who just may have run across the same issue AND remembers how to fix it!

Need a Bird-Brain

Reply #1 – September 03, 2016, 12:11:42 PM

Several things can cause stumbling and hesitation...

Since pumping gas helps, I'll say the carb accelerator pump shot is mis adjusted, meaning the carb isn't delivering enough fuel at tipin... Another related issue, if it originally had a hot air pickup to air cleaner and is missing, mixture will be lean and can stumble... Also late ignition timing can aggravate the situation...