engine keeps shutting off
 

hi guys, having a little trouble with my 283. everything is pretty much new on the motor, my problems start with a high idle, when i go to drop the idle it will shut off, when you try and set the timing it will shut off. Also when you go to put it in gear it will shut off,, the only way to keep it from shutting off is to keep it reved up while shifting or just start it in gear. what could this be from? When i get it going down the road it kinda studder a little as well. Could any of this have to do with the ignition system(summit street and strip ignition system with the rev limiter) The rev limiter works so i dont think it is in the ignition. if there was a wire wrong i suppose the ignition wouldnt even work.. Also i am running with cut of pipes right now,, would no back pressure have to with anything? I am thinking maybe something with the vacuume......

All help is greatly appreciated,, i need to get her right.

It sounds as though it's not running on the idle circuit at all. Is the carb in good condition? Floats not too low?

Depending on what the carb is set like, you may need to richen up the idle screws and then compensate by lowering the curb idle screw until you get a good idle.

Thats what i was thinking too Colbalt. I think the floats are way out (TOO LOW)had this problem not to long ago with a 68 chevelle i had. same symptons floats were adjusted all the way down they had them down so tight i had to take it apart so to adjust them properly. The guy i got it from said it was fine a new one. Later i found out his son had been adjusting on it and could not get it right hmm go figure. What carb do you have? Cole

the carb is pretty new, my dad had it on his 355 for a month if that, and swithed to a double pumper,, we have went back and forth on the the idle screws time and time again. would this cause the motor to shut off like it is? The carb is a 650 eddy. the carb performed great on the 355. what about the vacuume, if it is low that could cut the motor off cant it

Be sure the battery is fully charged.

Look to be sure the plug wires are correct- 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Be sure the timing tab is correct for the balancer mark.

Be sure the distributor isn't off a tooth.

Set the initial timing to about 10 degrees BTDC.

Screw in the idle screws until lightly seated, then back out 1-1/2 turns.

Back off the curb idle screw until it closes the blades, then crank in enough so that you see the blades just start to open some, then add 1/2 turn.

From this point, if the engine's not suffering from a vacuum leak from the intake gaskets, carb base gaskets, or from any other sources- the engine should start.

If it won't idle or idles too low, give it some more idle speed (not idle mixture, do that next).

The engine may need to warm up to operating temp to idle right, depending on if you're using the choke or not.

Since you changed the carb, I would look for a vacuum leak around the carb and vacuum hoses. A vacuum gauge can be an awesome troubleshooting tool. if you have less than 18" of vacuum you probably have a leak.
As a baseline you can close then open the idle mixture screws about 1 1/2 turns. This is usually a good starting point. Also as mentioned in the earlier posts, check the timing and firing order.

ok guys thinks for the input,, i will check all this tomorrow morning and get back with yall,, i really think it is the vacume as well. So in yall opinion you think the ignition system is fine,, it wouldnt work at all if one wire was crossed would it, this is a first project for me and one of many for my dad and he has never messed with a ignition system and rev limiter?

will the msd run with a weak battery, cuz my battery is very weak because i dont thank my alternator is charging, would this make the difference with it dieing and shuting off when puting it in gear. vacume is good, adjusted the valves, plug are tight, and right ect.... what does this sound like? the stall is acting like its not stallin. Please help
mark

Any ignition system will require the proper voltage to work properly. What is your voltage across the battery with the car running?