88 festiva won't run

[blueoval25]

I recently purchased a 88 festiva. The car had sat for approx. 5 years. Owner said it ran fine when he parked it. Installed battery and put gas in her and she fired up. Did some general maintenance fuel filter, plugs, oil change, replaced valve cover gasket(had leak), and replace brakes/master cylinder. The car idled fine and started easy. Drove to the store 2 miles and topped off fuel tank. Decided i would go for a Cruz and made it 11 miles before it started sputtering under a load (let of clutch) would idle fine but when in gear wanted to die.

Got home changed fuel filter. Same issue once car warmed up.

Changed plug wires, distributor cap & rotor, ignition coil, and rebuilt carb. Once again car Idled and ran fine for about 5 miles then started the same issue except now it won't even idle.

Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.... Thanks in advance for any help

[FestYboy]

look for vac leaks first. make sure your set screws haven't backed out since the rebuild. you may want to inspect the fuel tank and filter for debris and also look at the bowl in the carb. i'm betting on contamination since fuel was put in the tank. more symptoms and test results will help with the daignosis.

[crazyrog17]

Check the fuel lines to the engine. I've heard of them collapsing or kinking when the engine moves on these old carbies.

[Festy46]

When it won't idle, check the sight glass on the left side of the carb as you are facing the carb from the front. Push against the car to make the car wiggle. You should see gas sloshing around in the sight glass. If you see gas, then you know that gas is getting to the carb and it could be something to do with the carb and its feedback junk.

After your last trip when the car wouldn't idle, did you try it later after the engine was completely cold? If it was working fine after getting cold, then its possible you have a bad ignition module which fails when it gets hot. The ignition module is in the bottom of the distributor where points and a condensor would be in an old (very old for you kiddies on here) distributor.

[blueoval25]

thanks everyone i will start with these suggestions and keep you updated. The car does run fine again after it cools (until it warms back up) thats what has me fooled.

[Movin]

Next time it does it if you find nothing in all the above, pull the gas cap and see
if there is a vacuum in the tank.

[WmWatt]

You can get the ignition module tested for free at some auto parts retailers, the ones who test batteries and alternators for free.
If bad shop around for best price. Only one manufacturer but prices vary a lot among retailers. Also bed in dielectric heat transfer paste from
electronics store (stuff they put under CPU's in computers, cheap.

Would be a good idea to clean EGR valve (carburetted engines only), easy to do, photos here http://www.photobucket.com/Festiva-EGR