Engine quits under heavy acceleration

HELP!!! 1972 vette,with automatic transmission,base 350 motor, when accelerating with pedal floored,engine cuts out at about 50 mph. Timing is set correctly, points etc are fine, even tried Pertronix Ignitor 2 system, electronic ignition. Power is lost for about 1 or 2 seconds, engine then accelerates, and the same thing happens around 60 mph! I'm about to try a new fuel pump, or even a new distributor.Could it be the accelerator pump in the quadrojet carb?! Has anyone else had this problem?! My mechanics are totally baffled! Thanks.

Have had simular problem on car equipped with petronics system. Put the points back in and the problem was eliminated. Then replace the system with MSD dist. and control box.
Might also want to check fuel filter and fuel pump.
John

|UPDATED|1/11/2004 5:07:33 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Sounds like you might be starving for fuel. I'd check fuel filter and pump.

I would not be the acell pump. That would be a hesistation when the throtte is first opened. It could still be a fuel problem, or ignition. One test would be to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel inlet, and tape the gauge to the windsheild. Watch the gauge as you acellerate. If the pressure drops off, it's fuel, if not look to ignition.

If you have a vacuum advance unit in the distributor look at the wires to the pickup. The wires can break inside and when they flex you can get the hesitation. Check the air gap on the pickup as well. You could connect a dwell meter to the negative side of the coil and run long enough wires inside the car to watch the dwell when this happens. Again, if the dwell changes drastically, the problem is the primary ignition, if it doesn't then look elsewhere. I know this is a bit of checking, but it will get you on the right track. Let me know what you find, and we can go from there.

Ken Styer

|UPDATED|1/11/2004 6:55:09 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

It doesn't sound like the petronix unit. I've used several of them and they have performed well. Make sure that it is installed correctly. If you don't put it in right it won't work right. I would look to your fuel system first.

Hello all,

I would lean toward a fuel problem rather than ignition. Check the fuel pressure and volume. This will tell yo the health of the pump. If those are good then look at the carb. A float that is set too low or a clogged filter are suspect.

Alex
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