I have a 1983 12a I just purchased it starts up but never idles. When you start it the engine cranks a while then starts but revs up to about 3k then turns off. It does not seem to matter what you do to the gas peddle it is always the same. I was told the clutch is new but I may never be able to find out.

 

Where are you located?

 

first check your fuel levels (everything), its probably something simple, this was happening to mine a while ago and it was because my carburetor was not injecting enough gas.

 

Location?









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I am in Hastings MI

 

Sounds like a fuel supply problem. Start with the fuel filter, then check the fuel level in the bowls, fuel pump for volume/flow psi. If the pump meets specs there could be a blockage in the fuel pickup in the tank, the filters under the banjo bolts on top of the carb or a pinched/leaking fuel line.

 

Hm, you're practically local to me.

Follow Trochoid's advice above, and post back with results. I'll keep an eye on your thread and let you know if I think of anything. Good luck...

 

I can always check it out on weekends i have a bunch of parts too.

There is a reducer on the inlet gas line that you need it slows the gas down so you dont flood make sure its there its a metal piece on the fuel line somewhere around the oil filter area?

 

this sounds stupid but my car did the exact some thing when i put my distributor back in after putting the turbo all back together. my timing was off one tooth.. it ran till a certain rpm then cut off. although i still think it seems like a fuel issue

 

Hmm, revs to 3,000 and then dies, eh? Wonder if the floats are stuck open. You might try banging on the top of the carb with a plastic hammer (or something similar, since I've never met anyone who actually owns a plastic hammer). This will sometimes shake them loose so they start functioning again.

Also, lots of carb info can be found at www.sterlingmetalworks.com