73 bug almost dead Help!

You swapped the carb? Did it run with the old carb? Put that one back in (as a test).

Any chance the distrib advance mech is not working? Lack of advance will show up at higher RPM.

My guesses for today...

Speedy Jim

So tell us about how you timed the engine, and what carb you used.

Back up and go thru the basic tune up again. Did you change the points ?

Randy

If you haven't timed the ignition, then you don't know the problem is the carb, or anything specific. So, let's stop buying/installing new stuff and get to basic diagnosis. Timing the engine would be a start. A compression test would be cool, too. Then we can get onto other things - a hundred possiblilities.

Hey Randy. I drove through Nebraska last week. Fast!

Well, save those wires. They are probably perfectly good. You see, you presumed the timing was correct, but it's probably whacked. So the good news is that you might be okay with a proper tuning, and you have some extra parts. 'course, if the compression is miserable... well, let's start with the easy parts. Check the timing. Spring for new points, then get a page describing static timing and let's fix that baby! (If you have an electronic ignition, let us know. It's even easier then.)

If the '73 has the stock distributor with 2 vacuum hoses, you can NOT time it with a test lamp; you must use a strobe timing light.

Speedy Jim

Did you pass thru Lincoln ? If so, you were only about 1/2 mile or so from my place.

Randy

Nope. I had the idea that if we went near your place, I'd stop by and make like a fool asking about your Karman Ghia. Then leave and tell you later it was me. :)

Nah, you would have fit right in.

Randy