dartron3030

So my 83 Brat (totally stock) is getting progressively harder to shift into 1st. What I mean is that the stick is physically hard to push into position and it feels like it pops into it. Sometimes it's almost impossible and I have to shift into R or 2nd before it will allow me to get the stick in 1st. I'm assuming it's some sort of linkage problem? Also on occasion it will pop out of 3rd or R if I accelerate quickly. It doesn't feel sloppy at all, just like it gets caught up trying to move into the right position. Clutch is great, no weird noises or engagement issues, just the stick. Any ideas?

Great ideas here, thanks. The brat is currently our of commission due to me breaking the oil pump backing plate while removing the pump to rebuild it and stop a nasty leak. I did however find the anti-dieseling solenoid to be rather loose (less than finger tight) while I was cleaning up the front of the engine. If that turns out to be the culprit I will be very, very happy. Otherwise, I checked resistance in the ignition coil and it seems to be in spec, so...possible carb rebuild if it comes to that. Juha, could you explain changing out the air bleed thing a bit more, I've yet to open up a hitachi. I assume epa crap refers to the nefarious egr valve and maybe the evap canister? what else? don't tell me the cat

Thanks for the input, I'll look into the vacuum advance, but it's doubtful as the distributor including the vacuum advance is less than a year old. Any other things to look for before diving into a carb rebuild?

I know it's been asked before, and I've read the responses, but I'm still at a loss. My 83 Brat has an intermittent problem of stumbling upon acceleration. It occurs whether the car is warm or cold. It seems to stumble only with slow acceleration and if I step on it, it surges and opens up, feels smooth. Doesn't seem to lack power overall and idles decently enough once it's warmed up. Stock Hitachi carb. So far, in attempt to fix this issue and just because it needed it, I have replaced both fuel filters, air filter, spark plug wires, spark plugs(with new NGK, properly gapped), new distributor, put a bunch of heet and seafoam through it to clean out any gunk or water and checked for vacuum leaks by spraying starting fluid around the intake manifold and vacuum hoses (no change in idle speed noted). I also only run 89 octane or higher fuel. Im thinking it could be a partially clogged jet in the carb. Maybe some other jet opens up with more throttle and thats why it only occurs at low throttle. I haven't opened up a hitachi, but I would be willing to rebuild it if that would help. And no, I'm not getting a Weber. I've gotten 31 mpg with the Hitachi properly tuned. Any advice would be appreciated. Let me know if more info is needed. Thanks yall.

So I have a 1987 DL (EA82 w/Hitachi carb) It started dying on highway, as if fuel loss, would catch and be ok for a while, got worse and worse, and now won't start at all. I've replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump and put in a remanufactured carb. It will start and then die with fuel dumped in the top of the carb, but will not start otherwise. Fuel lines to the carb are pumping fuel for sure. Seems like it's not getting past the float bowl. Electronic problem or what? I'm at my wit's end here. Any advice appreciated.