Lumpy running and black smoke from exhaust

[NeilT]

Hi all,
now the sun has started to come out of it's winter hibernation, I thought it was time to get the car out for a run (it has been laid up since September). All seemed fine, started on the first turn and ran smoothly for about a mile but then it started getting "lumpy", needed lots of revs to keep going, felt like it was going to stall/cut out whilst it was driving and then when I got back it died on the drive and wouldn't start. A few hours later it started fine and I drove it into the garage but it was blowing a lot of black smoke out when revving.
I've changed the fuel filter, checked the breather pipes, topped up the oil in the carbs and checked the carb diaphragms (which look fine). From the Google research I've done, it seems like an over-fuelling issue, but I'm flummoxed about what to do/check next. Any ideas?

As an aside, does anyone else find that on every outing they are waiting for something to break down? This is my first seventies car (since the 70's anyway!) and I am used to cars that just start and go - without wishing to tempt fate, I haven't broken down in living memory, but I fear it every time I take the stag out. Is this just a part of owning an old car, or am I paranoid?

[ReddiStag]

As an aside, does anyone else find that on every outing they are waiting for something to break down? This is my first seventies car (since the 70's anyway!) and I am used to cars that just start and go - without wishing to tempt fate, I haven't broken down in living memory, but I fear it every time I take the stag out. Is this just a part of owning an old car, or am I paranoid?

I'm sure others will be along to advise on the rich running, but as a relatively new Stag owner myself, I too feel like I'm waiting for something to go wrong, but then again I've only had it out a few times since I got it, so I'm sure (*touch wood*) that as more trips go without incident then my confidence in the old boy will grow (as well asin my preventative maintenance skills!) Maybe it's Stag paranoia, maybe like you I've been spoilt with moderns. I'm not new to classic cars - but on the Herald there just wasn't much to go wrong!

[MandM]

Just keep it serviced, fit electronic ignition and use it, I have been going through mine slow during my ownership doing jobs until I,m happy. if it does break down you can usually fix it on the side of the road, unlike a modern. Mine has stopped twice once due to dirty fuel blocking up 1 carb the other was a fuel pump fault fitted a new LD parts Pump. It also stopped at the MOT station it took me ages to realize that the inertia switch had been triggered by driving over the rollers on the brake tester so won't count that one just me being a knob . Been to France, The New forest, Yorkshire, Kent, Malvern, in mine covered 12,000 miles in my 5yrs ownership and enjoyed it all.
I will say that they don't like being left over the winter though.

Others will have had their own experiences that they might add

[GDPR]

Sounds like one or both of the chokes have stuck on to me - and so easy to check...

[StagManiac]

If not the chokes or diaphragms, a leaky float in one or both of the carburettors could cause over-fuelling.

Paul

[LAMBRETTLAD]

When you visit Forums it can add to your worries, as many threads are to do with problems ,best option is to drive with no fear until you get a problem then seek help,(taken for granted you keep a good level of service) .It's for this very reason I stopped visiting BMW and Audi tt Forums .

I keep coming here because on rare occasions I can help and I have great breakdown cover

[NeilT]

Thanks for the advice. I look forward to some investigating at the weekend