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I ran the Pinz over the weekend and the engine was hesitating from a stop. I stopped the truck and it did the same thing with the cover off. So I cleaned the carb linkages, lubed the throttle rod joints, and changed the fuel filter. No change. It has a Pertronix distributor. Last fall I changed and gapped the plugs, balanced the carbs, and adjusted the valves, and it ran great up until this weekend. Any thoughts on where to check to fix this problem? I'm planning on going to North Carolina this weekend (500 mile round trip) and don't want to take the truck if this hesitation business portends some major failure and I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks,

John,

You mentioned "last fall", doing some work. Can I assume you park the truck for the winter too, and that it's last year's gas? I wouldn't normally expect problems with a bigger engine, but you might smell the fuel (not sniff ) to see if it's old.

But also check the post below yours about stuttering. Sounds similar maybe.

I run the truck all winter, since it doesn't get that cold here. So the gas is fresh. I looked at the other post and his problem seems different than mine.

Another Virginia pinz owner, nice!

Check your fuel filter for red debris? Timing dead on?

I've been getting the red gunk in the filter, and just received a stainless tank from Fat Fabrications. However, after the recent filter change there was no gunk. I checked the cap and rotor, and found they were a bit long in the tooth, so they will get replaced tonight. Timing was checked when I did the carb balance, so it may need adjustment again. Where in NOVA are you located? I'd like to check out your 712.

red death can clog the filter but, and someone please correct me if im wrong, i think a bigger problem is large pieces flaking off and clogging the fuel pickup...or whatever that is called. this could explain the sudden hesitation problem?

if thats it, at least you have a replacement tank already! of course the cap/rotor/timing could be the culprit as well.

hopefully its one of these and you will be fixed up, good luck!

I'm in Arlington more or less.

The fuel pump is pretty simple to take out and check but I'm leaning towards timing. Check and check again.