My car suddenly lost power, unless you kick in the secondaries. I had to plug up the air pump hose to get it to idle. I replaced the fuel filter. The only way to drive it is to run it w/ the secondaries kicked in. Any suggestions?

 

might have low compression. thats what my cars problem is. it sounds like you are having the same kind of problems that i have. my car wouldnt idle until i took off the air pump.

 

Would this just happen suddenly? Any way to test this?

 

Check the compression, igniters, vacum leaks

 

Also you may have clogged jets in the carb.

 

id would say compression check it.. and if its fine.. overhaul the carby..

-greg