1982 345 Sputtering and Jerking-HELP

[tainja]

Greetings-I recently purchased a 1982 345 GL and it ran beautifully. I noticed it was overheating so I had the radiator roded-then everything went bad. Now it sputters and jerks when I drive it. I changed the points, plugs, condensor, dist cap, lead wires etc.. and no better. I am mainly puzzled as to what could suddenly go wrong. My car only has 14,500 miles on it and everything is is very good condition and as I said was running fine until the radiator work was done.

If any one can help I would appreciate it. I am in Jamaica and I am a good DIY person so help would be needed on technical advice.

PLEASE HELP
Mike

[Janitor]

sounds like the head gasket may have gone !? you could take it to a garage and get your water system pressure tested or a compression test,to find out for sure.
unless any1 else has a clue ?
does it still use much water/get hot ?

[tainja]

Thanks for the reply-we thought so too but there is no oil in radiator or no water on the dip stick. And the engine never got too hot only when assending hills. And yes the roding fixed the overheating. Should add as well that this sputtering and jerking mainly occur when climbing hills as well but never did before the radiator rodding (it sputters going downhill but not as bad) and there is never smoke whatsoever coming from tail pipes??? and whenever we adjust points it runs like a bullet for a few miles. Do you still think head gasket...or what???
Please help me again
Mike

[5lab]

could be the carb is loose. grab the top of the air filter and try to wobble it - it should be firmly attatched - ie any movement is transmitted staight to the engine. if there is movement, try and tighten all nearby bolts etc.

[Duvel78]

Jamaica, am I dreaming?

Welcome to you Tainja!

Your problem is solved or not?

[tainja]

Believe it or not it was the condensor!! Changed it twice and a mechanic just squeezed it with his pliers and the sputtering stopped! So glad-Come to Jamaica MON and drive our 345 some time!

[Duvel78]

Fantastic!

Question: how did you buy the car there?

[tainja]

We were extremely lucky-cars in Jamaica tend to be brand new SUV's costing double or more what vehicles in the "1st world" costs. We found an elderly couple who returned from England in 1983 with this car brand new. The drove it like 3 miles a week and then parked it for 12 years. So when we bought it it only had 14000 miles on the clock and was virtually brand new...plus the brought in about every part they needed for it so we got them as well all for only 810. sterling. We love the car and enjoy driving it in the hills of Jamaica because of the CVT. And BTW..there are a few other 340's on the roads here..we've passed 3 others in the past three weeks. And also a few spare parts dealers as well.