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FE Technical Forum / Re: Surging at light cruise
« on: August 30, 2026, 11:31:27 AM »
Probably not your issue... but...
My 68 Mustang 390 with a CJ 735 cfm carb would surge at 60-70 mph light throttle cruise.
Tip in throttle and surge was gone.
Ran perfectly in all other aspects.
Had the oval open element air cleaner and a 68 Shelby hood with open scoops.
If I pulled the (converted to) manual choke out "ever so slightly" the surge would clear up.
Choke NOT pulled enough to make it richer. "Just barely" moved the choke blade less than 1/16".
My theory...
The open air cleaner and hood scoop disturbed the air flow into the carb.
Pulling the choke such a tiny amount changed the airflow thru the boosters such that the surge went away.
I meant to fashion a shield in front of the air cleaner to block air from the scoops to see if that helped.
Sadly I sold the car before ever trying this...
My 68 Mustang 390 with a CJ 735 cfm carb would surge at 60-70 mph light throttle cruise.
Tip in throttle and surge was gone.
Ran perfectly in all other aspects.
Had the oval open element air cleaner and a 68 Shelby hood with open scoops.
If I pulled the (converted to) manual choke out "ever so slightly" the surge would clear up.
Choke NOT pulled enough to make it richer. "Just barely" moved the choke blade less than 1/16".
My theory...
The open air cleaner and hood scoop disturbed the air flow into the carb.
Pulling the choke such a tiny amount changed the airflow thru the boosters such that the surge went away.
I meant to fashion a shield in front of the air cleaner to block air from the scoops to see if that helped.
Sadly I sold the car before ever trying this...
