There is a good chance the carburetor mixture screws need to be adjusted. Additionally, because of the ethanol-contaminated gasoline we have available, I have found the service manual's suggested idle RPM to be too low (I idle at 600-650 RPM).

Hi Jarrod, I had a similar problem with my 52 Hornet when exiting the freeway and coming to a stop the engine wanted to die. .012 int. & ,014 exh. valve adjustment (cold) was ok around down driving but not enough valve clearance for 70 - 80 MPH driving TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC HERE. A friend helped readjust the valves to .014 int. and ,017 exh., cold (Walt's suggestion), That solved my problem. I have no problem with idling at 500 RPM, with a hydramatic, Also, you might check for vacuum leak from vacuum advance. I found mine was bad when I tested it during a tune up while the vacuum line was disconnected. During the tune up I used vacuum gage connected to intake manifold and advanced distributer to highest vacuum reading then backed timing 2 degrees locked down distributer. Reconnected vacuum line to vacuum advance, readjusted fuel mixture and idle. Made a big improvement in power, drivability and economy. If you have Twin-H you will NEED a Uni-syn tool to balance the carbs.

Jarrod,

I assisted someone with a 54 Hudson whose car wouldn't idle. We first borrowed a known good carburetor to see if there was a problem with something else. The car ran and idled normally with this substitute carburetor..

Therefore, I took the carburetor apart. Frustrating was that the manual I first consulted was for somewhat older carburetors. The idling circuit didn't seem the same. Finally I got the correct information. This allowed me to find the jet that was plugged up. It ran and idled fine after cleaning out the jet and putting the carburetor back together.

It is well worth doing what Lee suggests about increasing the valve clearance. Towards the end of a cross-country trip, my 51 Hudson began to run more and more poorly. When I got home I found that some of the valve clearances had become very small, and when heated up, several of the exhaust valves were held a little open by the lifters. After adjusting them to the clearances Lee mentions, my car ran fine again.

Per

Good information about the carb Per. Thanks for sharing your experience Good luck with your car Jarrod. Let us know how it turns our.

Good points, guys~~. Reminds me to use GumOut in the gas tank on a regular basis and that the valve noise is not all that bad !!!
ESPECIALLY, since I am running headers, and am hoping that I will never EVER have to readjust the valves. And, tks again, Lee, for believing (and supplying the 'copy bar') about the HD anti-sway bars~~~one of my best contributions!!