Car won\'t go past 80?What to look for..........

My friend has a '68 Mustang with the 302 and 4bbl card,long tube headers,duals,and 3.00 gears.He was trying to run my '88 T-Bird and he couldn't get the car to go past 80.It takes all the car has just to spin a tire.I'm guessing it's in the induction (carb mostly).Any ideas from you carb guys.I'm all about fuel injection.

Does it still have points? Could be bad or out of adjustment. Timing etc. Did it just start doing this? Could be a choke stuck on. Any black smoke? Just a few things to ponder Stu

The car was upgraded to the Pertronics for the distributor.No more points.I'll ask him about the black smoke,and have him check the choke.I wondered if it may be the accelerator pump.I'm open to anything.Thanks for the help,I'll pass it along.

check to see that the throttle is opening all the way.

could be the timing isnt advancing
[addsig]

Things to check:
with the engine off:
check to make sure that pressing the gas pedal to the floor opens the carb completely - if it have vacuum secondaries just check the primaries.

make sure that if the distributor has a dual vacuum diaphram that only the rear vacuum hose is connected.


With the engine running:
Check the total advance (with the vacuum advance off and plugged) it should be between 30 and 34 degrees for a small block

check to make sure the brake return spring is returning the pedal

Check that the clutch or automatic transmission is not slipping

Check the converter stall speed is correct - too low means a damaged stator and you will get sluggish acceleration and slower than normal top speeds.

Check to see if the exhaust is plugged - a collapsed or rusted double wall pipe can close the exhaust almost completely - so can a plugged catylitic converter and a broken muffler.

Of all these the two most common are the carb not opening all the way and a plugged exhaust pipe. I would check them first and in that order.
Paul

Thanks a lot.We'll be working ont tomorrow.

HI
I have hear of people haveing a prob with the Pertronics ignitions might check that.
tim
[addsig]

My "guesses"

Tranny is slipping.
Brakes are dragging.
Timing is not advancing.
Fuel pump is worn and straving the carb.
Fuel filter is full of junk straving the carb.

Like you I'm better with EFI. I take my carbs to someone else. But these are all things that have happened to me that cause the problem you are describing.

It wouldn't be carb unless its not opening all the way or the float is not set right and its running out of gas (not enough fuel in the float bowl).
tim
[addsig]