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Topic: Engine dying when put in gear (Read 701 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine dying when put in gear

After working on the car all summer we finally got it running but within the past 3 weeks to a month ago the engine has started dying as soon as you put the car in gear.  This happens so fast that you can't get your foot over to the gas pedal in time.  The car is a 1983 Cougar with the 3.8liter V6 and 3speed overdrive tranny.  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Engine dying when put in gear

Reply #1 –
I had the same issue! It was the distributor failing. Once it was rebuilt that problem went away.
"I put my foot in my tank and I began to roll." Chuck Berry

Engine dying when put in gear

Reply #2 –
Have a good distributor out of an 88 3.8l v6, if that helps you.

Engine dying when put in gear

Reply #3 –
Chris: thanks for that, I will take a look.  Someone else said it might be a massive vacuum leak which is somewhat believable because I had to do some quick-n-dirty rerouting to stop the hot air from constantly blowing through the air system.  Also was advised about a component that ups the idle when shifting and it could have gone bad.  Does any of those sound possible as well?  jpc: Thanks for the offer and I will let you know if I end up needing to take you up on it.  What is the brand by the way?

Engine dying when put in gear

Reply #4 –
Since this is an 83 I am guessing this has a carburetor.
Before you try to start do you push the gas down once to set the choke and allow the throttle linkage to move to the fast idle step of the fast idle cam?
Take the air cleaner off and see if this is happening.

The 88 distributor won't work for your car.