ford 289

[oldways]

i have an older 289 and when i take off..... the engine sort of lags behing momentarily tried cleaning , timing, points, plugs ..... what else can i try

[robot]

Check vacuum advance....is vacuum hose off/leaking? Is vacuum advance diaphram bad? Check diaphram by disconnecting hose to distributor. Insert another hose so you can suck on hose.....a good suck should change engine speed (because you are changing timing). If you can continuously suck air, diaphram may be ruptured. Easy change and cheap part at auto supply. Buy a good brand, however or you will be doing the change again.

mike in tucson

[IC2]

Of course it might just need some TLC inside the carb. Then there is that bug-a-boo, Ford and their 'silent' timing chain/gear assembly. Of course the fuel pump may be going away too. And then, there is that fuel filter............some are mounted in-line, others are on the carb inlet and a few were even mounted on the fuel pump

Depending on the particular engine arrangement, some of these '60's vintage 289's had a dual diaphragm vacuum advance/retard - and these are interesting as they can be removed and a single installed but "other things" need to be done as well.