Something weird going on

[cudabob496]

Replace those springs!!!

Should see some serious improvement.

yep, just ordered new mag pickup, springs, bushings, and weights.

[cudabob496]

replaced mag pickup.  Still hard to start. Will run above 1000 rpm, but dies below 1000 rpm.
Ordering new floats and needle and seats for carbs.

[HP_Cuda]

Short cut = known good carb

[cudabob496]

Short cut = known good carb

ya, but floats, needles and seats are the last carb problem possibility for causing this engine behavior, even though
they were replaced about 4 years ago.  I inspected the needle seats and they were clean, about a month ago.
going with those plastic type floats too. Have also installed new metering blocks.

[cudabob496]

well, what do you know, coil tests bad

[Matt70]

 

[Cudakiller70]

well, what do you know, coil tests bad

Hope this is it for you.
Checked mine a little while ago after finding out here on CC the MSD coil I had was oil filled and was to be mounted vertically and PO mounted it in horizontal position. It was still good, but replaced with epoxy filled.

[cudabob496]

ya, buying one of those epoxy filled MSD coils.

The truth of the matter is this, after years of toiling down the road with everything running perfect,
stuff wears out or breaks. This is the world we live in. Beautiful weather, and Cuda sitting in garage
for a month. This must be what heroin withdrawl is like!

[cudabob496]

Cwap, new coil did not solve problem.
At startup, engine shakes kinda violently, and rpms are hanging around 200.
If gas it, engine will run well above 1000 rpm, but dies below 1000 when I let off gas.
Guess its time to pull valve covers, and also maybe test the MDS 6AL ignition box.
Will call MSD tech tomorrow to see if they have any ideas.
Float levels seem fine. Volt regulator is new.  New metering blocks.
Wonder if something internal in engine is loose?

[cudabob496]

this is good. Guess I'll replace the needle/seat assemblies in carb, though a visual inspection
showed nothing.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/18-engine/179459-engine-wont-idle-run-below-1500-rpm.html

[cudabob496]

this is good too. Think I'll look at all the spark plugs too, replace them, and check resistence on plug wires..

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/wont-run-below-1500-rpm.455264/

[cudabob496]

ok, got three plugs out, and they look pretty bad. had cut back the negative electrode
4 years ago, and gapped at .060.  Now some gaps almost .065 to .070.  And neg electrodes
degraded. Also, have checked resistence on 3 wires and one has an open.  I guess after 15 years you should replace
your wires.  buying new 8.5 MSD wires and boots from Summit tomorrow.

I'm sure all the header heat on the plug wires and boots has done a lotta damage, though
they look the same as new.

[cudabob496]

can an engine dying below 100o rpm be due to a bad alternator?

I'm also thinking some kinda intake vacuum leak? Might explain the difficult starting and shaking
of engine.

still gotta inspect/replace plugs and wires on driver side, but
above 1000 engine runs good.

Anyone else have an engine die below the 1000 to 1500 rpm range?

[HP_Cuda]

A somewhat large vacuum leak will do that and/or make it run pretty rough.

Keep narrowing down the culprits and you will have your answer.

[cudabob496]

A somewhat large vacuum leak will do that and/or make it run pretty rough.

Keep narrowing down the culprits and you will have your answer.

Ya, the intake is coming off now to inspect gasket.  That's got to be it!!