Lost low speed idle

'47 2a stock. Been sitting in the garage for a couple of months. It was running and idling great when parked. Started right up yesterday (first warm day), but I have no idle. Have to keep the choke about 1/2 - 3/4 and and the throttle cable pulled out to a fast idle. If driving, I can put in the choke in and it seems to run fine. As soon as I stop, it just dies, unless I adjust the choke and throttle. I'm guessing I need to check the fuel bowl, but would appreciate other suggestions.

Barry

 

bad gas? depending on how long its been sitting, you may want to drain the tank and refill it with some fresh fuel. Check the fuel filter in the fuel pump as well to see if its clogging.

 

What Andy said. Also check for vacuum leaks. if the choke has to be on that indicates a lean condition. Nickmil

 

I put fresh fuel in early this winter. But it has been sitting in an unheated garage and we have had an extremely wet winter/spring. I didn't fill the tank, I think it registered about 1/2 full (the tank is steel and is new within the past couple of years), so I'm wondering if it condensation? I've never added an in-line filter, but maybe this is the time.

This is my "farm Jeep" so won't be able to check it until the weekend.

Barry

 

You mayvery well have some condensation in the fuel. I'd hit the fuel tank (not literally) with some STP fuel treatment or equal.

 

If the above suggestions & fuel treatment dont restore idle I would suggest taking the top off the carb and see if there is any residue from old fuel in the bowl, If there is the main jet well is full of it too and thats where the idle/low speed jet pulls its fuel from.
It does not take much restriction to plug up the idle/low speed jet. The orfice diameter in the end of the tube is only about .028.
If it has been sitting there could be some varnish or particle deposits on the inside of the orfice and tube. Remove the idle/low speed jet and shoot some carb cleaner through it and make sure the fuel bowl is clean.
It sounds like the idle/low speed jet is partially plugged to me assuming clean fuel and water dispersant as mentioned above dont help.
The fuel treatment mentioned above may loosen any varnish in the idle/low speed jet so its certainly worth a try before removing the carb top.

 

Sounds like varnish in the idle jets.

Used to be you could hang a can (12 to 16 oz) of ChemTool B-12 above the engine with the fuel line disconnected from the fuel pump and run into to it to clean the passages. Could still work, I guess, but it has been a long time since I did that kind of thing.

SeaFoam in the gas tank maybe? Or some similar chemical additive. If you pull the jets be careful cleaning them. You can change their size really easily when you don't want to.