Set timing 13°advanced at idle 800rpm with warm engine. Left engine running while getting ready to drive and test. Engine began to stumble and died. Hard start (had to open carb wide). Momentarily it ran well again.

Ran down road to test. Throttled well with no hesitation at rpm over 1200 or so. When slowing down and decreasing idle engine stumbles again. Also exhaust burns my eyes and a bit black.

???rich???

 

Sounds like the carb is flooding. Check for proper float level, crud in the needle and seat, or a "waterlogged" (fuel-logged?) plastic float.

 

Adjusted the idle. Idles great now.

Sometimes just quits when taking off from a stop. Just like flicking a switch.

Restarts immediately, but only if I SHOVE the pedal to the floor.

I will check the floats next.

 

I assume you removed the vacuum line to the distributor and capped the carb fitting when setting timing. If not, do so.

 

yes I did

 

Friend had me up the idle when shifted in drive from 550rpm to 750rpm. Took in to town and zero stalls. Hopefully it's all better there.

On to the next.

Thanks all for assistance.