1971 Roadrunner stall problems when put in reverse

[lab361]

Doright,

You have a good point and I don't disagree - I need to find a good mechanic that knows the older car engines. Thanks for all your help and advice.

Larry

 

[Hemi Rebel]

The way to do it would be to diagnose the car when it stalls and will not start. Don't get to involvedn in thinking of all the reasons a car will stall and focus on why it won't start. The list of reasons why is much smaller, and since you known it runs you can rule out any mechanical engine issues. Basically your problem boils down to either ignition or fuel. I made the assumption that it was spark based on you giving a shot of starting fluid and it didn't even try and do anything. We all know what assumptions do. Starting fluid in the carb is not the proper way to check for spark. Spark checkers are cheap and make it easier, but not necessary. You can pull the coil wire and and insert a small screwdriver in the end and lay it near a ground source like the coil mount bolt. Lay it so it isnt touching, leave enough of a gap to see the spark jump. Then either have someone crank it while you watch or turn the key on and jump the starter relay. If it has spark there then put the coil wire back on the coil and then pull a wire off a plug and do the same check there. If you have spark and it does not start then we go down the fuel road. If there is no spark then we attack it from that angle. The trick now is to get it to stall and not start. I will bet you 100 bucks when you want it to stall it will not do it. While its running go around under the hood and do a wiggle test on the wires. Specially around the bulkhead connector and the ecu and coil wiring.

 

[Doright]

Ever wonder why when a Driver or Pilot has a problem with the Car or the Aircraft they talk to the mechanic the mechanic listens to the complaint and the operators concerns and then just fixes it by going to something they never even thought would be the cause???

Well

This car is coming out of restoration/Paint job & multiple engine changes and has been sitting for an extended period of time.
This car has been worked on by mechanics that are not Highly trained experienced mechanics, Im not saying they do not know what they are doing or have done anything wrong But their has been more than one Cook in the kitchen ok? Different guys do different things and have different levels of quality in their standards & experience. i.e. missing PVC & hose, Carb sitting for 3 years on shelf or engine without being rebuilt not saying for certain its the culprit but I would have put a $40 rebuild kit in it myself.
All it takes is one Back fire and a Power valve is toast. Besides soaking the parts in Carb dip over night I can build a 4150 Holley in about 15 minutes taking my time they are that easy. By the way whats your fuel pressure to that Holley??????????? that will do it to so will the float leval so will bla bla bla
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn4HovYvrF0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-mIk6nEYQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrnzD7PgoHI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0uEMeDVxaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPGLUsW5ZeE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Nx5HEzvlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M92CGjpiMs4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LNgwZe6r9s


There is a bunch of other stuff to look for as well Hemi Rebel is right, every thing should be looked over and checked NEVER ASSUME the other guy did anything right or wrong but you need to know the difference.

 

[Doright]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=groLt6lg1Ck

 

[lab361]

If anyone is interested this problem turned out to be heavy paint on the firewall which would not allow the ECU to ground properly. I took the ECU off the firewall clean the paint out of the screw holes and no problems since then. I was told to consider putting an actual ground wire on the unit which I am considering.

 

[68GTX440]

Congrats and definitely do the ground strap.