Engine Coughing and Spluttering

[MarksMinor]

Hi
I recently drove Aunty Mable(1961 2 Door) to the hospital,(I was visiting my Mum)which is about 37 miles from my house.
I drove up a steepish ramp to get to the upper level carpark.
When I parked the car the engine sounded funny, as if she was misfiring.
If I rev the engine on and off for 5 minutes or so the coughing and spluttering stops, and if I rev her hard she sounds like she is back firing
Although after driving her for a few miles she was ok, but then after sitting parked up for several hours she coughs and splutters again when the engine is started, this happens every morning when I go to work and again on the way home.
I thought dirt had got into the system after going up the ramp, anyone got any ideas what the problem could be, and how to fix it??

Mark & A Sick Aunty Mable

[Gareth]

Check the connections at the ignition system, and I'd suggest having a poke around in the float chamber, and cleaning the bowl out. If you clean the contacts for the fuel pump, and give her a service (check and adjust the plugs, points, rockers &c) and all may be well.

[bmcecosse]

You may have sucked up some rubbish from the bottom of the petrol tank. Carb clean-out would be the first move - however SUs are not usually affected by debris - unless there is lots ! And it should have got trapped in the fuel pump filter anyway. Check the carb piston is free to rise - and falls with a clunk. Also consider - if the ignition components are not recently 'new' - then renew them all now. New points/condenser/rotor arm/dizzy cap - maybe even new leads and new plugs !!