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1981 Ford Fairmont Carburetor

Tiny
JKINARD
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  • 1981 FORD FAIRMONT
Engine Performance problem
1981 Ford Fairmont 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

simple question(I think), I have a 1981 ford Fairmont Futura w/ 3.3l straight 6 engine 1 bbl carb. It has been sitting up for a while waiting for me to put in a trans. After I finally did that, I had to drop the gas tank and clean for rust, along with the fuel lines and carb rebuild. I put in new plugs, dist. Cap, wires, changed the oil, etc. The car starts just fine. The problem is after idling for awhile, it begins to stall. Especially after I hit the gas pedal. Reading some of the other questions I kind of figured it has something to do with a "too lean" gas mixture. If this is correct, how do I fix it? If not, what is the problem.
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 10:24 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
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Check the accelerator pump and also the ignition timing-

Adjust the A/F mix-fully close the idle mix screw, and then back it out 2 full turns, start it up adjust the idle speed to 600 rpm, Now start closing the mix screw when you feel the engine misfiring back out 1/4 turn and then adjust the idle speed again to your desire-
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Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 AT 10:40 AM
Tiny
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I figured out the engine stalls after I hit the accelerator and the "fast Idle cam" flips down after the car warms up. Do I still adjust the A/F mix?
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Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
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Try readjusting it and also the curb idle speed-also check the EGR and PCV valves
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Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
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OK, before can check that, I need to keep my battery from dying. I just got it along with a new altenator. I thing there might be a wiring problem. Is there there a wiring diagram to show what goes where. There are some wires that are loose that might need to be grounded but I cant figure out where they go.
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 1:19 PM
Tiny
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Use a voltmeter and record the battery voltage before you start it up, when it fires up wait a few mins. And record the readings again-the second reading should be 1/2 -2 volts if the alternator is doing its job
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
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OK, sorry for taking so long to respond, the alt warning indicator light comes on at idle but goes off when the engine is revved up. The alt is new and so is the battery as I said. I tightened up the belt and connections and it still has the same same symptoms. What am I missing?
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
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Have the alternator load tested is the voltage regulator built-in or external type?
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 AT 2:36 PM
Tiny
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O.K, I'm back. From looking at the chassis electric wiring diagram, the problem has to be a "grounding" between the alternator connector/wire-harness and the battery. The voltage regulator is not built into the alternator. Would that effect it? Also their is some sort of junction connector that the other side of the wire harness from the alternator connects to before it goes to the battery. Might that be faulty?
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Thursday, April 28th, 2011 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
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O.K. The alternator problem was fixed by getting a new voltage regulator! Thanks. Now I have just three more issues. 1. On start up, the engine runs sluggish, stalls and sputters after sitting overnight. After about five minutes or so it runs fine. (I see a little black smoke)valve seals maybe? 2. If I have no heat and the antifreeze level is good, is that a thermostat problem? And 3.I just rebuilt the trans. Shifting is sluggish (automatic) and going from 2nd to third takes longer than it should. I did the band adjustments by the specs in the book. Does it need to be tighter?
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Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 AT 3:10 PM
Tiny
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Okay, back with another question(s). I'm not sure about dist. To plug placement. I did it according to the book but it appears to be wrong because the car wont start. When I shift the plugs clockwise by one, it runs fine. Am I doing something wrong? Also, for optimum performance, do I set the timing at 0 or do I advance a number of degrees? And, last question, I connect my timing gun to the battery (Black - red + and to plug #1) but I get no strobe. Is it me or the gun?
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Tuesday, September 17th, 2013 AT 2:07 PM

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