I've now had my 1964 Valiant for a little over one year. I haven't really had too much trouble with it up until now. Since it's only been a year and this is the first car I've ever tried working on I'm having a little trouble figuring out what's wrong with it. So I'm hoping that maybe somebody in this forum might be able to tell me what's wrong with it and what I should do about it.

So here's the problem. The Valiant starts nicely. No hesitation whatsoever, but idles faster than I'm used to for some reason. After warming up, it drives just beautifully. After a bit of driving however, the engine idles really low whenever I stop or take it out of gear.

If I let it sit and idle for more than a few seconds, the engine begins to hesitate and if I let it do that for long enough the engine will just stall. Any ideas as to why this is happening?

Sounds like you need to adjust the choke and idle. There is an write-up in the articles section on adjusting the choke - that should help.

Hey thanks a lot. Those articles are very helpful. I'm going to go ahead and try making some adjustments this weekend.

There is a lot of good information in those articles, and in past postings on the forum. I love the "Search" feature!
While you're under the hood, might as well give it a tune-up. Points, plugs, and valves need a little attention now and then, too.
Out of curiosity, what transmission do you have in your '64? Pushbutton 904 (like mine) or stick?

My Valiant is about as basic as possible. It's a three speed manual stuck into the steering column. I like how it's in the steering column, because it allows me to comfortably fit 6 people into my car. I have problems shifting, however, and I don't know if it's because of the way the shifter is designed or if it has more to do with the clutch. I find that I have to really press the clutch as far down as possible before switching gears or else the gear change becomes really difficult and it feels like I'm tearing up the gearbox. So I have these huge pauses during each shift and that translates to poor acceleration.

My previous car was a Civic, so I'm not sure if this is just something I have to get used to or if there's something I can do about it. How well does your Pushbutton 904 work, by the way?

Love those pushbuttons and you gotta love a 904 that has not required any service in 40 years and continues to perform like it left the factory yesterday!......Dave

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Troops on the battlefield have a far better view of the battle then the generals who lead them

Pushbuttons rock!
I did have to replace my 904 at some where around 38 years and 250K miles. Not too bad a run, I'd say.
And if I had been a little sharper at "mechanickin" it might have just needed a seal or gasket at that point ...

3-on-the-tree is awesome, ain't it? Most people don't even know what they are, today. Makes lots of front seat room, yes. But it has never been known for fast shifts.

And after 40 years of use, in which I'll bet no one has ever put any grease on the linkage, it's probably about time to clean and lube, and maybe even adjust (if the lack of lubrication wore anything out.)

But your main symptom indicates it's time to adjust the clutch linkage, too. Do yourself a favor and pick up a shop manual. All the instructions you could ever hope for are in there. It's what taught the Chrysler technicians how to repair your car when it was new. If you have any inclination to do your own repairs, you won't regret the cost or the time spent reading it, I promise.

- Erik

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Lots of early Valiants and Barracudas have crossed my path.
Also a handful of other toys for variety now and then.

Good pointers there Erik. Really appreciate it. This is my first car that's more than 4 years old and is the only car I've ever had to do anything besides oil changes on so little pointers like that really help. You know I purchased a Haynes Automotive Repair Manual, but was only able to find one for 1967 through 1976, so there are a few things that don't match up between my car and the manual, but it has helped me understand how the car works for the most part.

And for those who responded to my original post, I figured out what the problem was. It was just a really really messed up air filter (yes I'm REALLY new to this). There's another post in this forum about open-element air cleaners. Do any of you guys know where I can get one of these? Also, out of curiosity, does anyone know why there is a hose from the crankcase to the air cleaner? Apparently this is why the air filter gets so messed up, but there has to be a purpose for it, I think? Anyway, thanks a bunch guys. You've all been super helpful.

I absolutely agree on the need for a factory service manual. I have an old Chiltons that covers various cars through '63, and it's pretty good, but even the best Chilton's, Haynes, etc. lack a lot of the detail you need. The original book has very good photos and all the diagrams. Poke around on Ebay and any of the Mopar-related forums, and one will show up. It took me a week to find one, and a month to finally nail one, but it has been worth it.
As far as open-element aircleaners, I made mine from two pie tins. I just marked the centers, cut out a hole for the BBS top, drilled a hole for the stud, and put them on with an air cleaner element that fit the rims. The lower tin drops over the carb but clears everything. I put the top one on the same orientation. I use an old chrome air cleaner top from an old air cleaner to stiffen the top and make it look a little less cheesy. Some day I'll find or make a flat, lipped top so that I can use a taller element without hood interference.

Talk about cheesy, made a open element using the original bottom half and the top from a pan lid the wife was throwing out! Works very well with no clearance issues and uses stock air filter.

_________________
Troops on the battlefield have a far better view of the battle then the generals who lead them