Can’t keep engine running

[italiansub52]

My 1965 140 Corsa starts right up, but doesn’t stay running. The engine gets to only about 400 rpm then quits. Can’t increase rpm with accelerator. Timing is supposedly set to 18 degrees BTDC, but I can’t check it without engine running. Any ideas? Firing order wrong?
Thanks for any help.

[Dennis66]

Well firing order should be a total nobrainer to check. It's printed right on the blower shroud and each cylinder has a number on the shroud.
As far as the "won't get above 400 RPMs, all you'll get are guesses. It could be carbs, or it could be ignition. For starters, do you still have stock points? Or has it been converted to electronic?
Are you getting a good strong fuel spray from the accelerator pimps (PUMPS) in the carbs when you manually pump the throttle with the air cleaners off?
So many things it could be, and worse when you have 4 carbs instead of two.

Second cup of coffee consumed and a little closer attention paid to posting

[Torskdoc423]

"Accelerator Pimps"?

[66vairguy]

My 1965 140 Corsa starts right up, but doesn’t stay running. The engine gets to only about 400 rpm then quits. Can’t increase rpm with accelerator. Timing is supposedly set to 18 degrees BTDC, but I can’t check it without engine running. Any ideas? Firing order wrong?
Thanks for any help.

This doesn't add up. Engines don't start up and go to 400 RPM and THEN quit. Also firing order doesn't change UNLESS SOMEONE CHANGED IT! When was the last time the car ran fine and what did you did to it since then????

If the car starts up and QUITS just after you release the ignition key from START to RUN - let us know as there is a fix for that. (This is a "are you a BOT" filter).