just bought a 68 convertible with 350 engine. car has been sitting for a while and i've got it to idle but under load (driving) all it wants to do is spudder, and run extremely rough. Neigbor says it's probably a bad lifter from sitting for a while. Car runs great at idle, just under load it's a dog. can barely drive around neighborhood due to lack of power. any thoughts?

Welcome,

Consider doing the basic engine maintenance & testing first:

- replace oil & filter
- tuneup (replace plugs, points, condenser, cap)
- replace air filter, fuel filter, pvc valve
- add gasline antifreeze to displace water in fuel system
- antifreeze flush & replace
- check ATF level (auto trans)
- cylinder compression test
- set dwell & timing
- spray carb cleaner down the throat of carb to clean
- inspect vacuum lines and caps for cracks and replace as needed
- inspect fan belts for cracks and replace as needed
- inspect exhaust system - mice in you mufflers??

Good luck!

Concur with what Gus said. In fact, I would put a lifter issue way down on the list. I would focus on the fuel delivery and ignition systems first.

did you put fresh gas in it?

here's what I've done so far...

new battery
fresh gas - tank was bone dry
new oil and filter
new air filter
new spark plugs
added some antifreeze/water
checked atf, it's good and red.
removed and cleaned carb - edelbrock 4 bl
new fuel line from pump to carb with new fuel filter - fuel is very clean.

car starts and idles fine, just under load it bogs down terribly. I don't think it's a fuel issue or timing issue. would a vacumm leak cause it to bog so bad under load but yet allow it to idle perfectly? when it's idling and i give it some gas there is a very slight hesitation but engine sounds good.

I'd lean towards a distributor/secondary ignition problem, but more than likely the carburetor needs a rebuild. Been sitting for a "while" a rebuild wouldn't hurt regardless.

if tank was dry ,its most likely rusted (humidity)inside and you could have "stuff" in that fresh gas, cloggiing? anyway...what ever the problem is now, I recommend a good tank cleaning or new tank if its getting to 'pin hole' stage

This is what I would do if I just bought:

I'm pretty anal about changing oil, so that would already have been done. But I wouldn't spend another dime on the car until I checked the accelerator pump. Also, I wouldn't bother putting another ounce of effort into the car until I checked the a-pump.

If you don't know how to check it, just ask and someone will tell you because I'm tired of working on cars.

rebuilt the carb this weekend. I was amazed at how much junk and clogged everything was! Accelerator pump seal was bad too, so great call Amervo!

Was able to drive car around the block but front end is really bad and wanders all over the place..looks like it needs upper ball joints. My goal is to have this car drivable by May of this year.

Best to replace everything that moves in a 43 year old car.The front end parts are not all that expensive. Do it right, do it once.