63 stalling out only on hills- Ideas?

[63tnz]

I have a 63 T Bird and I have a new issue of it cutting out only on a hill. I can floor it on the flat and its fine- just half way up a hill it will cough and die.
I have checked/eliminated:
No fuel leaks
Newish MSD electronic ignition and leads
Fuel filter looks like it isn't old-have not inspected it.

Plugs are 3 years old but only done 1000 miles maximum.

Signs point to a fuel blockage or filter issue. There is a small inline filter prior to the fuel pump and its own filter- is this normal?

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[57tbird57]

I have a 63 T Bird and I have a new issue of it cutting out only on a hill. I can floor it on the flat and its fine- just half way up a hill it will cough and die.
I have checked/eliminated:
No fuel leaks
Newish MSD electronic ignition and leads
Fuel filter looks like it isn't old-have not inspected it.

Plugs are 3 years old but only done 1000 miles maximum.

Signs point to a fuel blockage or filter issue. There is a small inline filter prior to the fuel pump and its own filter- is this normal?

First thing to do is replace filter and make sure choke is opening properly

 

[inspector]

Once it has stalled, will it restart or do you have to tow it?

 

[57tbird57]

First thing to do is replace filter and make sure choke is opening properly

Are you saying there are 2 filters? There is usually 1 between pump and carb

 

[NTouchOne]

I have a 63 T Bird and I have a new issue of it cutting out only on a hill. I can floor it on the flat and its fine- just half way up a hill it will cough and die.
I have checked/eliminated:
No fuel leaks
Newish MSD electronic ignition and leads
Fuel filter looks like it isn't old-have not inspected it.

Plugs are 3 years old but only done 1000 miles maximum.

Signs point to a fuel blockage or filter issue. There is a small inline filter prior to the fuel pump and its own filter- is this normal?

I'm just a hammer mechanic but have had similar problems with my '57. Sounds like fuel delivery, so trace the fuel system from tank to carb. Somewhere in there is the problem. I agree on changing the filter first. Then, I'd look at the fuel pump. So many - recently - have been junk right out of the box. Electric fuel pump solves that issue immediately. If changing filter and adding electric pump doesn't solve the problem, then it is likely in the fuel lines or deposits in the tank.. Given it runs OK on the flats, I don't think that's the problem area. Does it run OK downhill?

 

[Critterpainer]

I believe there is a fuel filter IN the fuel tank, Try blowing out the fuel line backwards toward the tank. If it helps, then there is your problem

 

[Hadderz]

If its a Holley carb it could be the float / fuel level in the carb. Check via the sight holes to make sure you've enough in the carb, could be too low hence starvation when going uphill.

 

[64ZCODE]

Fuel pump. They get dodgy then fail at inconvenient times. Recommend you replace that then work uphill to filters and carb bowls.

 

[63tnz]

I'm just a hammer mechanic but have had similar problems with my '57. Sounds like fuel delivery, so trace the fuel system from tank to carb. Somewhere in there is the problem. I agree on changing the filter first. Then, I'd look at the fuel pump. So many - recently - have been junk right out of the box. Electric fuel pump solves that issue immediately. If changing filter and adding electric pump doesn't solve the problem, then it is likely in the fuel lines or deposits in the tank.. Given it runs OK on the flats, I don't think that's the problem area. Does it run OK downhill?

Yeah it runs fine on the flat and downhill. Once it dies I can pull over and it will then get enough fuel to run fine again. It seems the consensus is that its a fuel issue between carb and tank so I will start with the filters/lines and then to fuel pump

 

[64ZCODE]

Hey there 63nz. When I replaced the fuel pump on my '64, it was around $60 for the part and about a half hour project. A little history, I had bought the car and the next day drove my pride of joy down to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and it died on the way. Had it towed back to my house. Thought maybe it was the coil, replaced that, then the next day it died again and had to have it towed back to my house. All along it was the fuel pump that was getting dodgy, and my neighbors were wondering about my sanity in buying the "classic". So this is a part that is cheap and easy to replace and is a single point of failure, and at least then hopefully you know that's not the problem.

Beyond that, it could certainly be a clogged fuel tank or fuel line that has gotten squashed or a carb bowl not staying filled up.

Doug

 

[74 Harley]

If it only dies on hills, check the distributor and make sure your advance is working.

 

[Thunderbird1963]

I have a 63 T Bird and I have a new issue of it cutting out only on a hill. I can floor it on the flat and its fine- just half way up a hill it will cough and die.
I have checked/eliminated:
No fuel leaks
Newish MSD electronic ignition and leads
Fuel filter looks like it isn't old-have not inspected it.

Plugs are 3 years old but only done 1000 miles maximum.

Signs point to a fuel blockage or filter issue. There is a small inline filter prior to the fuel pump and its own filter- is this normal?

Does it have the original carb ? Have you checked the float level ?

 

[Critterpainer]

Like I said before, 60's Fords have a nylon fuel filter IN THE TANK on the fuel sending unit. Of course a prior owner may have removed it.

 

[62Landau]

Have you checked the coil? I have a 62 TBird. I would be driving and it would die. As I would be coasting, I would shift into neutral and it would start. I have a nephew who has built HotRods and now restores tractor trailers. I told him the conditions and he told me to buy a new coil. I did and installed it and never had the problem again. It has been 3 years now.