Fix this car...

This has me stumped

65 mustang 200ci straight 6.

Has all the new tune up stuff on it
-cap and rotor
-wires and plugs
-points and condenser
-carb rebuild kit
-cleaned fuel lines and tank

it's doing some funny stuff. It'll start right up but shakes at idle. It stumbles off idle but clears up at higher rpm. I was playing with the timing, and it likes a ton of timing, it seems to clear up somewhat at 30* or so.

It's been sitting for 10+ years

So i'm guessing a couple of things, need some help on what to try first. I'm gonna try to get ahold of a compression tester tomorrow.
-Harmonic balancer spun from dry rot
-stuck lifter
-lost compression in a cylinder
-Could the points be off if the dwell is within spec?


Idk....i'm at a loss...........needs to be ready next week

So you're saying you are stumped by a carbureted, points equipped 6cyl? No wonder you couldn't figure out fuel injection.

check the basics.
Firing order correct?
points clean and straight?
how did you check dwell?
plug gap?
verify mechanical timing of valvetrain?
Fuel filter clogged from residual **** in lines?
carb jets clogged? saying it was rebuilt doesn't mean ****
float level set correct?
bad gas?
vacuum leaks?
pull the valve cover and make sure all the rockers are moving? Sitting for 10 years it could have a stuck valve and bent pushrod.
any weird ticks or clicks out of the engine?
pull your head out of your ass? :)

Runs rough at idle, but picks up. Do you have a vacuum leak? Do you have a vacuum gauge, if you do, you can verify manifold vacuum at idle. You said cleaned the tank and fuel lines, so I assume it is new gas. A hung valve seams like it would pop at any rpm.

Do you have the idle air mixture on the carb adjusted properly?

Did you clean out the idle circuit on the carb (spraying carb cleaner down the throat while it is running doesn't count)

Anyone know of a good source for replacement jeep motors? Specifically the 5.7 hemi. Buddy's wife has a commander that the thermostat failed on and burned up a couple piston rings. Dealer seems to think that a replacement long block is their only option along with a 7000 dollar price tag.

Also - a mechanic willing to tear into and replace the needed parts would work too. He is in the South Austin area.

Lu has experience with these, but he ain't cheap and neither is that motor.

new hemis like to pop the top ring land off when they get too hot and the rings butt. I got a take out with 80k on it for a 1500ram for 1400$ about 2 years ago. these motors are junk for longevity the valvetrain has some really goofy geometry.

Anything to look for getting a dodge motor to go in a jeep?

Post up vin number and the year make model and I can call advance salvage and see what they have.

I would bet the long block in either is the same minus maybe the damper due to accessory drive differences. the reason it is in every mopar is it's crazy cheap to manufacture and assymble=modular.

Why not get the current engine rebuilt? I don't know about the 5.7 hemi but 4.7 long blocks used to be around $1500.00

Need a good mechanic willing to do that.

call chet

The dodge got some new tires. Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 35x12.50R17. They rub a little at full turn but I will put the leveling kit Ed has for it after TCC


Edit. Can someone move this it was posted in the tire thread but ended up in here.

Is it in the 'fix this car' thread so we can tell you to fix that body damage?

I'm surprised you didn't comment on the tow mirrors being flipped out. Maybe you're down on your game JB.