Car Conks Out While Running 1974 1.8 liter., Wow, I need help already, now I'm a REAL owner Options

[orthobiz]

Just got my car yesterday and it's an absolute beauty. Put about 40 miles on already, around town. After the engine was warmed up today, riding around in third and fourth gear, engine died several times.

Seems like it wants to sputter a bit when I let off the accelerator while in gear, and then dies. I put it in neutral and start it up again while coasting, seems to start and runs a second or two and then dies. Eventually I would stop the car and it starts up again and I was able to get home, but I must have restarted it three or four times. Engine temp in the middle, not running hot. I hadn't stopped it so it's not like I had vapor lock either.

Idle has been a little rough and once or twice it died when idling and standing still.

Car has new plugs, wires, dizzy cap and fresh tune-up. Has a new voltage regulator. New battery. New seal under the oil filler cap. New everything. I'm afraid to go too far 'cause I don't want to get stranded.

But otherwise this baby looks and drives like a dream!

Are there some easy things I can check?

Thanks,

Paul

[Gint]

The first thing I would do is call Brad. You had to haul it home 400 miles from Brad's, you paid him I'm sure, he's had his hands in your engine compartment and he knows his business.

[orthobiz]

The first thing I would do is call Brad. You had to haul it home 400 miles from Brad's, you paid him I'm sure, he's had his hands in your engine compartment and he knows his business.

Yes, I did pay him! Yes, he did call me on a Sunday! Yes, we have begun to solve the problem!!!!

Turns out, sitting in the car and I turn the ignition clockwise to the first detente, there are no lights, no brake light, no oil light, no gas tank measurement, etc. If I turn the ignition ever slightly more clockwise, like a degree or two, just a little pressure, the lights come on.

Starting juice was never a problem. So, as soon as it starts up and I let go of the key, it goes back to a "dead" running position. And, if I manually hold that key ever slightly more clockwise, it continues to run.

It's a brand new ignition switch; the old one had a problem where it wouldn't crank unless you really reefed on the key clockwise in the start position.

So, a new switch is working it's way to me tomorrow overnight. Kudos once again to Brad. And I already own a 27mm nut (looking at my S-K socket set from 25 yrs ago, it's the only big size with any signs of usage).

In the meantime, I guess I can run the car with an alligator jumper cable connecting fuse position 4 to 1, 2, or 3. Then unjump it to stop the car.

Paul

[orthobiz]

In the meantime, I guess I can run the car with an alligator jumper cable connecting fuse position 4 to 1, 2, or 3. Then unjump it to stop the car.

Paul

I guess wrong. Alligators at the bottom end (toward the front of the car) between fourth from the left and 1, 2, or 3 from the left do not keep the car running.

It's a different kind of "hotwire." The key turns, the starter starts, but it doesn't keep running. Guess I'll wait for the new switch...

Paul