My 1978 "restoration" project.

[YoukaiMori]

I went to change the front brake hoses but the steel line connector was stripped on the driver's side and I couldn't get it off... so I just ended up bleeding the front brakes on both sides and cycling out the old brake fluid. I didn't do the back (Which may have been a mistake in hindsight) but I did get a lot of debris out of the front brakes, and now it seems like the intermittent pulling I was getting is gone. No pull to the left on hard brake at all, since for the first time I took her up to near highway speeds then hard braked (On an empty road) and got zero pull, the pull to the right SEEMS to be gone but that's harder to judge since it only happened when first driving.

So those problems seem to have been resolved with bleeding and new fluid. Still low power! Gonna get around to changing the spark plugs and see how performance is with those before I look into timing etc as possible issues.

Also... really need a new driver seat, having it rock/slide back when driving is getting a little annoying.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

...Still low power! Gonna get around to changing the spark plugs and see how performance is with those before I look into timing etc as possible issues.

I recall you mentioning that low power wasn't as much of an issue until you replaced the fuel filter and the hoses around the carb. Any chance that you just have a weak fuel pump, and with a filter that's a little too restrictive, you're just not getting enough gas into the carb? I'm assuming you have a mechanical fuel pump? Try bypassing the fuel filter temporarily and see if things improve.

Bryan's rough priority list of things that cause low power (in order of decreasing priority): incorrect ignition timing, incorrect cam timing, carburetor issues (fuel delivery or too rich/lean), old engine with low compression, plugged exhaust esp. with catalytic converters.

-Bryan
PS: A gas tank that is building up vacuum can also cause fuel delivery issues. Try loosening the gas cap just slightly.

[YoukaiMori]

Yeah, I only drove it for two short trips before I got the fuel lines and filter replaced but I don't remember it having poor acceleration for those two trips. For my cruise yesterday where I finally took it above 35, I had similar issues I described before, poor acceleration in 1st and 2nd, 3rd gear felt alright, 4th had trouble maintaining 50MPH on a slight incline, on the downward incline on the way back 4th gear easily hit 60 and maintained it.

I have a long piece of fuel hose left I'll try bypassing the filter for a trip to the gas station and see how it does, that's a smart idea honestly. I BELIEVE the fuel pump is electronic in the 78, though. (Nope I'm wrong it's mechanical)

Edit: I just had a thought, when I changed the filter I topped off the tank with some regular unleaded I had in a can. What are the odds the dip in power is because of the ethanol % in the cheap fuel?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

What are the odds the dip in power is because of the ethanol % in the cheap fuel?

It might make a very slight difference, but I doubt it would be noticeable. But, any gas over 2 or 3 years old would be suspect at this point.

But, now that you mention the gas tank, have you pulled out the gauge sending unit/inlet feed assembly? There is a metal screen "sock" on the end of the inlet tube, and it's quite common for it to get crudded up and restrict fuel flow. Especially on a car this old. In fact, it might not be a bad idea at some point to drain the tank, take it out, and clean it up.

-Bryan

[YoukaiMori]

Alright alright, noted. This is my first carb'd vehicle and my first classic so I'm learning lots of new stuff, sorry for all the various questions and assumptions.

I did pop open the tank and take a look at what was attached but I didn't get a great look at it. I took a couple pictures when I did that but this was RIGHT after I bought it so I wasn't looking for anything particular.

At the time I was thinking "This all looks pretty good shape", but I didn't pull it out any further than this. I was only checking the gas at the time.

[Nate98]

Did you find solutions to your sluggishness? I just purchased a 1972 and am having the same troubles in 1st and 2nd gear. 3rd evens out and accelerates as expected, just like you said. It does seem to get better after a few miles and the car warms up, but I still don't get the response out of 1st and 2nd gear that I should.