May want to check your fuel filters I have an 82  and had to replace fuel tank and filters problem solved

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> On Dec 22, 2013, at 2:32 PM, al sinclair <alvanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Does anyone here have a recommendation for a good engine mechanic to find
> and fix a problem on our air-cooled '81 Westie please, somewhere near San
> Jose CA?
> 
> My commute is between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara, so anywhere not too far
> off that rat-run would be ideal, but I'll go most anywhere for a
> knowledgeable tech.
> 
> Our Westie is having trouble starting cold - the colder it is (and that's
> not really lower than 30 here) the worse it is. She also stalls when cold,
> then won't restart without sitting for quite a while. When decently warmed
> up she starts just fine, but on the highway putting the gas pedal to the
> floor produces a bad drop in power.
> 
> The car had a new short-block at 60,000 miles (previous owner put a piston
> through a cylinder), and has done another 50K since then, reliably running
> fine until the last few months. It's an automatic if that makes any
> difference. I guess it's a fuel system issue but that's outside my
> expertise.
> 
> This is getting to the stage where we're not going places because we may
> not get back. Last time we went camping (Highland Lakes in the Sierras at
> about 8,000 feet) it took me six hours to get the beast started, and that
> was only possible because a friend was there too so I could use his
> LandRover as a battery. I daren't go remote places by myself now, so any
> pointers to someone who can diagnose and cure the problem will be wonderful.
> 
> Happy holidays - here's to a happy and healthy, prosperous and peaceful
> 2014 for all.
> 
> Alan