Road Runner Nest

i've got 73 318 and when i put my foot down the engine bogs then it starts to take off, there is new battery plugs cap and rotor, it also dosen't start the first time sometimes the starter seems to run after no start up. i'm new to carb engines and this is my first classic. i'm thinking fuel pump, or starter? any help would be great i'm trying to learn. thanks josh

check fuel filter
accelerator pump on caburetor
vacuum circuit
and timing

Most likely the accelerator pump. Be advised though, when I had a 440 years ago I took out the choke plate and it developed a hesitation when I did that, apparently due to the extra air flow.

first....timing is everything. i messed with my carb for years thinking it wasn't right. i messed with secondary springs, tuning, mixture, flow, etc., but it was my ignition (i just replaced it with electronic and it's a lot better). my car wouldn't start first try all the time, but it would sit for a week or longer at a time. now, it'll start as quick as any new car. just changing the timing (and updating the ignition).

my car was also stumbling, etc. - it just started doing all that stuff out of nowhere and i figured it was my carb, but my timing wasn't perfect, and to top it all off, the vaccuum advance wasn't working.

if your filter was plugged, it would barely start, if at all, but it also wouldn't run (i know cuz mine plugged up while i was driving it, so i bypassed the filter and just ran hose right to the carb so i could get it home.

went to try this stuff out, turned the key...nothing put my battery on the charger it says full for 15-20 secs then the needle dropps so now i am going to try a new battery, i thought the battery was new it was an 04- shoulda looked closer. well had it for one week now and lovin it

I had this exact same problem!
The starting i fixed with a new altinator and the the other stopped after a full tune up.

damn i was hungover, forgot to try and start it in neutral, started to idle a little rough, and died once down the road, so probaly timing. and i don't know jack about that so i'm gonna have a family friend check every thing out and see whats really going on. it still drives fine just don't get on the throttle. thanks everyone for your help. after changing oil on my suv and all this crap it time for a beer and some hockey go badgers.

check easy stuff first!
1. make sure carb is tight on manifold and that lower gasket is good. And that the carb is in basic tune.

2. TIMING, carb must be in basic tune. check your service manual. Make sure the distributor is tight!

3. torque converter.

I have seen batteries have full voltage only to drop to nothing under a load.At work I have a load tester which is the best way to test a battery.

i cleaned the carb today, i was spraying down the carb then reved it up and bang white smoke shot out the carb it runs a litte better but i noticed the coil looks like its oringnal, oil pressure stays at the bottom of operating range as well, looks like im in for some fun with this, but thats kinda what i expected buying a 35 year old car, can't afford a rebuild but i'll maintain it the best i can for now

I can't really help out but here is the way it has always gone for me no matter which of my vehicles it is: 90% of the time I think its the fuel system and about 80% of the time it turns out to be ignition or elec.

i'm sure your ignition is probably to blame. if you're not sure on what kind of maintenance has been done to it, replace points, condenser, plugs, and probably wires (if you have electronic ignition, there's a box on your firewall that you can replace) idk about timing your car, as each motor is pry a lil different, but i have mine set at 10 degrees BTDC, as marked on the timing tab while at idle(i have a 440-4) and that's the best setup for me.