= Cars Stalling today leads to crashes and lawsuites =

[maxhifi]

When my 1969 ford pickup would stall because I had the choke set wrong (i.e. took it off a bit too soon before the engine was warmed up and stepped on the accelerator), I would just depress the clutch and start it again while still rolling... no power brakes or power steering to lose, and the lights were just lights.

Now my new truck has never stalled on me, and it while DOES have a vacuum booster on the brakes, it doesn't have power steering, I am completely confident I could handle a stall without any issues at all.

On the other hand, I had a Mazda whose idle would randomly surge, and that was downright dangerous, especially on ice, it would randomly kick sideways and start to fishtail. I would WAY rather be dealing with the stalling old Ford than surging idle.

[rca2000]

My old Riv was JUST a "bit" higher tech than your 1969 was. I think it had 8 or MORE computers...PFI injection and coil pack ignition...Not all that much simpler engine-wise than many of the cars today--that still use PFI.

[maxhifi]

Originally Posted by rca2000

My old Riv was JUST a "bit" higher tech than your 1969 was. I think it had 8 or MORE computers...PFI injection and coil pack ignition...Not all that much simpler engine-wise than many of the cars today--that still use PFI.

The Ford had a Carter 1bbl carburetor, which I rebuilt myself when it got plugged up. I really liked that truck, but the body was just too far gone. Advances in vehicles are nice, and they have sure improved in almost every measurable way, but there's something nice about the keep it simple stupid approach... I wish you could buy such a simple vehicle today ... Points ignition... no catalytic converter to worry about, no 02 sensor, no computers, no plastic covers on the engine or sensors to fail. manual choke, I would pay a premium for it. A tune up takes a couple hours on a Saturday, big deal.