It could be the elevation causing a problem, the less dense air would cause a change in the mixture from the carburetor. Running better with the choke out even more makes me thing that it's a fuel/air thing.

If you have access to a propane torch, try pointing it down the carburetor, then turn it on (not the flame, just the gas) see if the engine smooths out.

To rule out timing problems, put a timing light on it, see if there's a miss on the engine too. You say you have plugs that need to be replaced and wires that are worn in places. Sounds like you really need to do a tune-up first, before trying to diagnose any other problems. If the gap is too big on the plug, the spark will try to find other ways to get to a ground, even through the insulation to the ground (through you, if necessary).

Once you have it running right, take the car out for a nice long drive to dry out the engine, and change the oil. See if the goo returns. The brown goo may be anything from condensation to a blown headgasket. A leakdown test may show a little more. Losing any coolant? Any bubbles in the radiator when the engine is running and warm?

By CVCC x 2 (64.229.241.3) on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 03:13 am:

I would replace the wires if you get a shock when you touch them. Try this first though, in the early evening once it's dark out, take a small spray bottle with water in it and just lightly mist the spark plug wires while the car is running, if they are bad, you will see a spark show.

By Jarcaf (Jarcaf) (207.55.238.216) on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 08:36 pm:

preheater hoses are the heat risers that pipe hot air from AROUND the exhaust manifold and pipe it into the intake. It's on the stock TAC(thermostatic air cleaner), and as the engine warms up, it allows more cold air to pipe in until the heat riser vent is fully closed. This helps signifigantly in running a smooth engine while cold, as hotter air mixes w/ fuel better, and this helps a faster warm-up. Weber's inherently lose this function, so don't worry about it.

By jms (194.73.124.83) on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 07:41 pm:

whats a pre heater hose, are you suppoesed to get shocked just from touching the wires or does that indicate they could be bad?

By natcho (208.195.243.194) on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 12:36 pm:

Except I just noticed that you have a Weber. Nevermind the last post. Best of luck.

By natcho (208.195.243.194) on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 12:27 pm:

Is your pre-heater hose still connected and in good shape? The problems and symptoms you describe could be the result of the carb sucking in cold wet air all the time (especially on start-up). I had a similar problem with mine until I figured out a way to connect my pre-heater hose to my header.

By Vccivic (24.85.232.159) on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 01:17 pm:

mine sputters as well a bit on take off, on mine I think the throttle valve needs replacing. In expensive repairs I did when I bought it to get it running clean - plugs and wires, new battery cables, new ground cable from the engine to the frame, oil change and filter, air cleaner, rotor and cap on the distributer...the last one I would say to do right outside a shop and get them to time it after you do the cap and rotor as the timing may be out. Parts = 80 bucks, timing and throttle adjust etc = 30 bucks and the guys showed me how to do it myself.....check your connections to the starter etc....a bad ground will cause sparks...some of the guys here are super smart and probably know more...I'm a back yard fixer and body work guy, but thats my experience...throw in a some carb cleaning with the air filter unit off, spray it right into the barrels there while gunning the engine, spray off the outside and add some 321 oil to all the springs and joints...moving parts... and it seemed to have brought it back from the dead on mine runs great!

By jms (150.113.26.4) on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

Ever since I moved from TX to TN my car has been sputtering alot. I though maybe it was the cold weather or the elevation difference but its getting worse and the weather is getting nice now.

It has brown goo in the vavle cover etc (looks like it got moisture in there.

It sputters alot like its not getting gas or the ignition is screwy-ie. bad plug wires or timing.

It will only run good if I leave the choke all the way out all the time.

I touched the coil while it was running the other day and got SHOCKED, should that happen? THere are a few worn spots but I taped them for now and they were there when it ran good so that cant be it. Plugs look ok but do need to be replaced.

So is it the carb do you think? It couldbe plugged wiht that goo or just out of adjustment, but I think its in the igintion somewhere.