Nice weather, not car doesn't run right

[cartoonstrips]

I've backed my '76 Spider in and out of the garage several times over the winter - ran fine.
Now that the weather has turned nice - it sounds like its running a couple cylinders short.

Only thing I did was pour in some new gas a few weeks ago.

Perhaps I stirred up something? - I do have a filter and checked fuel flow beyond it and that seems good.

did a quick clean of the Idle Cutoff, idle and main adjustment screws.
I did rebuild the carb a few years ago.

Spark is getting to each plug. Also ran the engine for a minute tonight and found the exhaust manifold getting hot only near the front and rear cylinder.

Next plan is to take the carb apart and clean it - any suggestions?

Carb is a Weber 32 ADFA

Thanks,
Jamie

[So Cal Mark]

why not look at the spark plugs before disassembling the carb? Carbs don't cause 1 or 2 cylinder misfires. Reading the plugs will tell you what's happening in the cylinder

[bradartigue]

I've backed my '76 Spider in and out of the garage several times over the winter - ran fine.
Now that the weather has turned nice - it sounds like its running a couple cylinders short.

Only thing I did was pour in some new gas a few weeks ago.

Perhaps I stirred up something? - I do have a filter and checked fuel flow beyond it and that seems good.

did a quick clean of the Idle Cutoff, idle and main adjustment screws.
I did rebuild the carb a few years ago.

Spark is getting to each plug. Also ran the engine for a minute tonight and found the exhaust manifold getting hot only near the front and rear cylinder.

Next plan is to take the carb apart and clean it - any suggestions?

Carb is a Weber 32 ADFA

Thanks,
Jamie

I'd hit it with the old Italian tune - up; put in some new gas and some carb cleaner, change the plugs, and do some high RPM driving, see if that clears it up.

[cartoonstrips]

Thanks all, I appreciate it.
Cleaned the plugs and it runs fine.
Now, I'll continue with the Old Italian Tune up !

Jamie

[bradartigue]

Letting cars sit isn't bad, but letting them run only for a few minutes is. When you first start a cold engine, and until it is well into operating temperature, moisture is drawn into the engine and the motor isn't hot enough to turn it to steam. It sticks to things, along with fuel. Fuel turns back into a liquid and sticks to metal (which is why we have to "choke" an engine to force more fuel into it when cold), and so on. This lacks technical accuracy but you get the idea. Moisture inside the motor is bad.

My point is, if you're going to start one of these old birds "every so often" then be prepared to drive it to operating temp. Letting it sit and idle isn't so great either. If it is too cold/icy/etc. then just let it sit. A car sitting for 3-4 months without being run will be a lot healthier than one started for 5 minutes a day now and then.

[RRoller123]

My rule of thumb during Winter startups is minimum of 3 fan cycles, takes maybe 15-20 minutes.

[cartoonstrips]

Great advice, I really appreciate all the replies - Thanks!
Jamie