289 stumbling at part throttle.

This started two days ago. On the way to work I noticed right before I shift, in both first and second gear the engine would lose power and sort of begin stumbling. Same after work. So today on the way home, I kind of held it there instead of shifting to listen. Hoping to troubleshoot this thing or just put it out of it's misery. The stumble began to creep farther down the rpm range. Next thing I know, I'm pulling off with almost no power. Than she dies. Tried to crank it. Nothing. Pop the hood and check for fuel at the carb by working the linkage and I'm getting a mist more than a spray. Ten minutes later, she cranks right up and pulls hard thru the rpm range, no stumble. What gives? What do you guys and gals think. Where to start looking? This is my daily driver and I need to repair it by monday for work. I'm thinking it's fuel related, but am looking for opinions and trouble shooting tips. Thanks in advance. By the way, she's a stock 289, 3 spd trans, and 2 barrel stock carb. The ignition all looked okay a month or two ago, but I have noticed the fuel pump ticking lately.

I would check for fuel pump pressure and volume first.

I agree sounds like low fuel supply.
Shouldnt be a mist should be a spray.

When was the last time that you changed your fuel filter? It sounds to me like you are not getting enough fuel to the carb. Filters are cheap and pretty easy to swap out and see if that makes a difference.

Originally Posted by Nickas

This started two days ago. On the way to work I noticed right before I shift, in both first and second gear the engine would lose power and sort of begin stumbling. Same after work. So today on the way home, I kind of held it there instead of shifting to listen. Hoping to troubleshoot this thing or just put it out of it's misery. The stumble began to creep farther down the rpm range. Next thing I know, I'm pulling off with almost no power. Than she dies. Tried to crank it. Nothing. Pop the hood and check for fuel at the carb by working the linkage and I'm getting a mist more than a spray. Ten minutes later, she cranks right up and pulls hard thru the rpm range, no stumble. What gives? What do you guys and gals think. Where to start looking? This is my daily driver and I need to repair it by monday for work. I'm thinking it's fuel related, but am looking for opinions and trouble shooting tips. Thanks in advance. By the way, she's a stock 289, 3 spd trans, and 2 barrel stock carb. The ignition all looked okay a month or two ago, but I have noticed the fuel pump ticking lately.

Hey Mr. N,
Sounds like what was happening with Ms. American. We all thought it was fuel related too. I had checked the Points and they were properly gapped. BUT, went ahead and put in New Points and a New Condenser.

You can't tell by looking at it whether a Condenser is functioning properly.

They're inexpensive and easy to install. Do that FIRST. It may solve YOUR problem. It DID the trick for Ms. American.

JC

Wasn't exactly what ailed a few years ago, but how are your valve springs? Holding things tight?

Wm.

I had a 67 mustang in high school that did the same thing. How old is the Ignition coil? I would check fuel pressure and filter first and then move to the ignition next.

Clean out the carb first, I bet it's debris in it.

Okay, so I popped the top on the carb and checked things out. Cleaned out what looked nasty. Changed the fuel filter at the carb and tested the condenser. Everything is solid in that regard. However I noticed a part number at autozone in their computer for another fuel filter. I checked it out and it appears to be for the fuel pump. Am I correct in this line of thinking? And also what would make the pump tick? Is this a sign of imminent failure?

how did you test the condenser???00