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1988 GL misfires/sputters under load. Please help!


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I just bought a 1988 GL two door with a carbureted EA81 yesterday. Ran great when I test drove it. But, it started having problems after I was driving on the freeway on the way home after I bought it. I noticed that it was loosing power and sputtering. I limped it home at 40 mph because it couldn't go any faster. I replaced the ignition coil and it still has the same issue. It idles and revs just like it's supposed to. If I put it in gear and start driving, it will sputter if I do more than rest my foot on the accelerator. If I floor it, it sputters until I take my foot completely off which causes it to accelerate like it should at WOT, but only for a few seconds and if I'm above 3,000-ish rpm. I replaced the coil because it sounded like it was misfiring, and it has a new cap and rotor. This did not fix the problem. I've never messed with a carburetor, so you may have to talk a little slow for me if that may be the problem. Haha. I greatly appreciate any help.

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Timing could be off.  Vacuum advance could be disconnected.  The distributor could be shot due to internal swing weight mechanism.  The intake manifold could leak coolant into the combustion chamber.  The cylinder head gaskets could be leaking.  The cylinder head bolts could be lose. 

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