Jumping like its out of petrol

[SteveLaverty]

Hi Guys,

I was very grateful when people gave me advice on what to buy, and now i'm the proud owner of a 1976 aircooled in red, with slightly sweaty synthetic leather seats.

Right, the problem is yesterday randomly 3rd would start jumping like a car does when it runs out of petrol, it would continue to jump in 2nd, so i'd stop, start, and then it would run for a while and then jump again.

At first i thought it was because, i forgot, and had been driving around with the choke out, but after parking it for about 5 hours i took it out and the problem arose again.

Any Ideas for someone who knows nothing about cars.

Thanks Steve

[PaulB]

Sounds like a possible timing issue.

1. Reset the valve clearance with the engine stone cold.
2. Check the bob weight springs inside the distributor aren't deformed (leave them be if they look okay or you may damage them)
3. Reset the points
4. Reset the timing (it may need to be slightly advanced)
5. check the plug gaps and condition
6. check the condition of the leads and distributor rotor and cap

You may also need to replace air filter (especially if plugs are quite black - though that may be due to having the choke on too long)

Remember that the timing needs resetting every time the points are adjusted or the distributor moved.

Take it out and drive it 'fast' and hard if it seems better. Always seems to do some good.