Hey there folks, I haven't messed with my old car in about 15 years. It still runs and drives most of the time... So I might drive it twice a year as with kids and life don't have money or time to invest in it. I'm just trying to hang on to it. Till I have the time and money to put into it. I do start it up, and do the basics to keep it alive but nothing more. I have been occupied with kids and trying to keep family daily drivers running (boring vehicles) and haven't done a thing other than a couple oil changes and gas (non ethanol) in 15 years. If I try and show the kids what real cars can do with the power and open the throttle up the car usually gets up and goes. However several times over the years it literally falls on its face with in a minute of doing it and stalls out. If I let it sit for 20 minutes it always fires up, but sometimes it will limp home. Sounding like ignition is retarded and not running right. If it's sits over night it fires right up like nothing happened until, I goose it again. The only adjustment I've ever made to this car was 15 years ago and that was advancing the timing for a thousand mile road trip for better fuel economy. If memory serves me right I think the article was on this website. I averaged 16.7 mpg at 55 miles an hour for a 430 and the car being loaded I was happy. The car always ran fine for several years but the last couple years it always just falls on its face. Sorry for the long drawn out question. The only other thing on the car I see is a smaller diameter ignition wire that appears to have been replaced to the coil. But that's been there before my time. Any suggestions of what is causing it? I have a glass fuel filter just before carb and its clear and gas looks good. Just trying to eliminate this so I can drive it hopefully a little more maybe 4 or 5 times a year lol.
To me it sounds like it’s time for a carb rebuild. The other thing I would do is get a timing light and confirm consistency of the spark at each plug wire. Also pull all 8 spark plugs and replace them with AC Delco. Label each spark plug as you remove them and show us pics of the old plugs.
First guess is going with the recommendations above. Fuel related. Stuck heat riser is a good suggestion, There is also a filter in the front of the carb where the fuel line connects. Make sure you use a 1" back up wrench before you go to turning the 5/8 nut on the fuel line. After 15 years and most of that sitting the carb is going to need some attn. Send it to one of our resident experts. Ken or Mark. Last, Ditch that glass filter. Its a fire waiting to happen.
X2. The only thing I would add is to use a line wrench on the 5/8" fuel line nut. Using a regular open end will round it off. I would also look at the fuel pressure if you can. I believe the 69 Riv uses an electric pump. It might be tired.
After 15 years, might be time for a full tune up- cap, rotor, wires, points, condenser and plugs maybe? Might want to actually throw a timing light on it. As others hsve said, rebuilding the carb with ethanol safe parts might not be a bad idea as well.
I literally just went thru this on my Riv. Changed the pump to the ranger model and at wot I have about 3 psi. The car was apart since 98 I just got it back together but the performance wasn’t there. The nosing over would happen getting up to highway speeds or trying to accelerate to hard. I was having to feather it and with a 470 I was pretty disappointed. I knew there was problems and turns out there was some binding at the throttle rod/accel pedal. Once that was fixed it was obvious the original pump just wasn’t up to snuff. Now driving the Riv, I cant wipe the smile from my face. She is quick for a big gal.
Just be aware that the oil pressure switch is not a trust worth component to deliver enough current to the pump. Some folks have been lucky, I haven't. If there is any more performance to gain, pick your poison to supply full battery power to the pump and test drive. If it can tune better great if not at least you know.
