'83 cougar staying running

1983 MERCURY COUGAR
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BIGMACK73
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It doesn't like the cold unless its plugged in at colder than 0/32 degrees. Sometimes warmer than that too. Once it starts, it will stall right away. The only thing I can think of, the carburator needs to be rebuilt. Is this right?

What I have is a 3.8 l. engine, carburated, not fuel injected.
Feb 26, 2007 at 3:07 PM
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MERLIN2021
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either a bad starter solinoid or bad ignition switch
Mar 4, 2007 at 6:57 AM
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BIGMACK73
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It doesn't always stall. Once its warmed up it won't stall, it will try to at times. I did notice one time the bolts on the carburator were loose, after I tightened them, it didn't stall as much. I also remember doing a ajustment on the carburator, the pedal to the side of the carburator, that also helped as well.
Mar 4, 2007 at 8:26 AM
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MERLIN2021
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try replacing the choke thermostat under the black circle on the side of the carb, should do the trick!
best to replace it when cold. You need to put enough tension on the butterfly to close it but not so much it won't open when the engine warms up.
Also you need to adjust the fast idle screw located in the same place...
Mar 4, 2007 at 5:39 PM
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