1966 Mustang - 6 cyl. 200 inch motor
It's been rather cold out (around 30-40 degrees) lately. During this weather this season, my mustang won't start very kindly. She's been having a rough start; she died a few times earlier today until she ran good at idle. I started driving and then she died but I was able to turn her over, only I had to keep giving gas or she'd die. By the way I have 1/4 tank gas that I put in yesterday. I put her into drive and she died. So she wouldn't run unless I gave gas in park or neutral. I was called away for a couple hours and now she won't turn over. The starter turns and so does the fan. I gave her some gas while starting and she'd sound like she almost will start but instead die. I replaced the fuel filter last month. I also replaced the spark plugs last week. Maybe bad distributer cables? I know I need a tune up, but that couldn't be the big problem. Any help?

sounds like a SNAFU electric choke to me.

Take the air cleaner off and push the gas pedal all the way to the floor look and see of the choke plate is closing.

the choke plate should be about 50-75% of the way closed when cold.

If its not moving to the closed position at all then you may need a new bimetallic strip dillio thing that operates the choke plate.

-Gun

The choke plate looks like it's closed without pushing on the gas.

Aaahhh...you mean when trying to start it. okay, I'll get back to you on that probably tomorrow.

With the electric chokes you usually have to push the gas pedal all the way to the floor once to set the choke then as the car warms up the choke backs out.

How far closed is it? It should not be fully closed air still needs to get in there.

Im not sure on your exact setup but generally there is a clamp that holds the mechanism in place. By loosing the clamp you can rotate the housing and thus move the choke at the same time. When cold (press the gas pedal once to make sure its fully set) there should be a fairly large gap between the choke plate and the carb housing. Try adjusting the choke and see if that helps.

How long has it been sitting, when was the last time it ran great?

-Gun

p.s also check the accelerate pump. grab the throttle linkage and run it to wide open throttle (with engine off) and watch inside the carb in the ventures you should see a stream of fuel run into the carb from near the top. If not then thats a problem.

Gas is moving through the carb. The carb plate is not completely closed, but the bracket with the stud that goes through the air filter is bent a little and one of the two screws that goes to it can't screw into it. It is on good though. The plate, with the engine off, rests on the unscrewed side of the bracket. There is about a quarter inch opening on either side of the plate. The plate cannot close completely.

Also, I noticed a slight leak on the bottomfront of the carb. Looks like the gasket.

OK.... The temperature has warmed up and I adjusted a couple springed screws on the carb. Now I can get her started, but...I have to give her gas or she'll die.

I have a electric choke aswell. I always have to give it about 1/2 to full gas when starting in the morning, or when its been colder out side for a couple hours. i jut have to push then release, no hold unless enigine is warm. are you still running points? after i switched to electronic ignition, my car would start and stay running much better

We had a 6 in the 66, and we still have a 6 in the 64 Falcon, the 66 was very cold blooded and the 64 still is.....

IDK, I think those old 6s are just cold blooded. for the sake of simplicity I will talk about both cars in the present tence.

Both cars have a working manual choke, but once they get good and cold, they need to be primed with gas or starting fluid. You can pump the gas pedal all night and they still won't start without some help...

The Falcon is parked at a friends house right now,,, for this very reason. :D(= dead battery)