63 cdv Funny thing happened on the way to the circus!

[Kim K Kaiser]

I went for a ride today, thinking of Kim Novak from the cadillac forum discussion the other day, and a strange sort of event came up,  It has happened one other time,  wasnt thinking about Novack the first time

I was going along about 55-60 mph. and then the engine felt like it was about to sputter or lost some power, the first time couple weeks ago, same situation, engine was warm, not a hot day,   but without moving the gas pedal, it just sort of slowed and could feel the power leak off.. i gave  it a good press on the gas, got up to about 65, and it seemed to clear.  did it one more time about 5 minutes later, but i was in the car for the rest of the day, 5 to 8 hours,, city and highway, and no problems.

today was the same ,, about 55 or so, it just sort of leaks off of power,  and then with either gas or laying off the gas, it goes away, 

now i just changed out the points to electronic, and the situation happened before and after.  motor rebuilt about 40k ago,  was run occasionally monthly from the prior owner, but not a lot of milage, just run.

any thoughts on this,

secondly,, why would the needle on the speedometer bounce, sometimes it runs just fine, no bounce, climbs and drops accordingly, sometimes, though, if i gas, it boucnings over a 8 - 10 mph range,,

[Kim K Kaiser]

ok,  todays events. after the start up, i let it run for about 10 15 minutes.. the plate moved to about 1/4 to 1/2 further open.  engine was at at running temp,  got in car, ,took a good ride,, pressed up to 80 or so,, then back to 60,, then hit again like in a passing situation, then back, ran at 70 for a little, back to 55 then to town driving,, never once a sputter or kick,

got home, pulled open, unit was strait up open,, picture attached,, 

went back out as it seemed yesterday and in the couple days this happened, it was after it was hot or had run a while then sat for couple hours, that is when the roughness came in,, so i gave the key a turn, and started right up,  left it alone, took the 73 eldo out to keep its juices flowing in the cold air,, ran errands was gone an hour or so.. came home, started the 63, fired right up,, the plate is still strait, i gave it touch and it still had some room to go up about a 1/8 or so straiter up,  will let it sit a few more hours, and give it another go, see how it reacts.

attached also a picture of the choke face    i marked on it, looking for the notches,, so let me know if you can,, where these notches are supposed to be,, maybe I'm looking for more than is actually there.. may be just a sutle mark,, 

anyway, if it sputters later, will get back,

oh,  and again,   why would the exhaust be leaving those carbon prints in the back,, is this choke related,,???

[Kim K Kaiser]

ok,, after a couple of hours of sitting,, i went back out,, pulled air filter cap,,,to check choke,, the flap had dropped back to about mid way to flat,, and, when i started it, had a burp or two, but soon as i steped on gas,, it cleared up,, took my ride to the airport, walked, came back,, and the checked the flap and it had dropped just some from strait up,, i started with pedal down pretty good, and it fired up,  

So, i dont know if it was due to sudden cool weather or what and dont really know if fixed, but i do know the flap drops back to midway,, is that good or bad,, 

[24ro8f5mbs2jc]

Should be fully closed when engine is cold. There might be soot buildup inside so you should clean it. If you don't care about everything being original you can always convert to a manual choke.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Great job on fixing your car. The picture of the choke cap you submitted is of a Rochester carb choke. It is different on a carter carburetor.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Don't worry about the carbon in the exhaust pipe. A Carbureted engine is going to have that.

[Kim K Kaiser]

im not completely convinced it cured,  but duplicating today from yesterday, i dint get stranded. 

so if this is a rochester, how do i mark or note the direction of the clicks and make 1/2 and full clicks,, i was just guessing to a touch rich,, 

my picture shows some little sawtooth marks on the casing at about 4 o'clock, and a sort of mark on the black thing,,, are those the equivalent to the carter,, is one "sawtooth" a full click or half,, 

secondly,, will i have to do this again when the temps get to the 80s again,, we are starting to get pretty steady cold up here in MT,, 20s at night,, i dont mind doing it,, just want to be forewarned when it warms back up,,

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Your picture of the choke cap shows the notches that you marked. You will not have to redo the settings as the seasons change, as the choke coil moves with the temperature changes.

A lean choke will have the engine stumble at the start of acceleration. A rich choke will have the engine stumble during acceleration.  It's a dying art setting a choke, so just see how the engine performs and adjust 1/2 notch at a time.

[Kim K Kaiser]

Sounds good,I i will keep a. Eye and feel on things going forward. Thaks to all for the help,

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Thanks Tony.  One more thing about the choke. If your having choke trouble, always pull the cap off to see if there is soot inside the choke housing. There should be none. If there is soot, then the intake manifold choke tube is cracked, and exh soot is getting into the choke. The choke will slowly stop working correctly.