Idles fine but engine dies under load

[Jzenzen]

Hi, I recently bought a 64 LeMans with a 350 ci engine. It has a edelbrock 1407 carb and a edelbrock rpm performer intake manifold. I bought the car this way so I don't know much about the set up. The car starts up fine and if it does it starts right back up. My problem is when I put the car in drive and give it some gas the car dies. Sometimes I hear a little pop and a little smoke comes out from under the hood, but this doesn't happen all the time. The engine also seems to be smoking in the rear of the valve cover on the passenger side. Any suggestions? If you need more info I will try to provide it.
Thanks for looking.

 

[melsg5]

Assuming you have the stock distributor check the dwell angle. Next check the ignition timing. Then try adjusting the idle mixture screws and speed. Edelbrock has the manual on their website for your carburetor.The smoke is probably from oil leaking from a valve cover. Try thightening the valve cover bolts but do not over do it and bend the valve cover.

 

[Jzenzen]

I will try to check those. Actually, there is a MSD ignition and a distributor installed. The previous owner said he wasn't sure if the ignition was working or not. Sounds like he thought it was broken. It is hooked up though, the wiring and all. Thanks for the start. I will look into those issues.

 

[melsg5]

well if it's an MSD unit it would have no points so no dwell to check.