• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Carb Problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter sinisterstang65
  • Start date Start date Apr 11, 2010
S

sinisterstang65

Member
Apr 4, 2010
49
0
7
STL, MO
Apr 11, 2010
#1
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #1
Ive got a 351W with a Holley Street Avenger 670cfm, and just got the motor dialed in, but the idle runs perfect, but its once you drop it into gear, the idle just drops, and when you go around a turn or slow down too fast, it dies. Ive had numerous people tell me to go to a Edelbrock 750, bc this car is mostly for daily driving. But i would like to figure out what is wrong with it, so i dont hvae to buy a new carb. Any info would be helpful, need it as fast as i can. Thanks
 

jcode68

Active Member
Jul 15, 2003
892
1
29
Massachussetts
Apr 11, 2010
#2
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #2
Could be a number of things including the idle being set too low, fuel bowl levels too low, vacuum issue. Are you sure the carb is hooked up properly? Is your vacuum advance on the distributor connected to the port vacuum line? I would have someone familiar with carb tuning go through and set it up. I use the 670 Street Avenger and it's a really good working carb for street driven cars IMO.
 
S

sinisterstang65

Member
Apr 4, 2010
49
0
7
STL, MO
Apr 11, 2010
#3
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #3
RE

Yea its hooked up right, and we even brought it to a mechanic who specializes with holley carbs, but the idle is set right, and it idles perfectly when it is in park, but its once u drop it into drive or reverse, it just drops. And the bowls are set right, and we set it to the right depth, and the vaccum is also fine, i mean its a possibility there is a crack or hole, but i really dont think thats it. We also rejetted it, and completely had it rebuilt and had a mechanic dial it in, after we set it up. So does anyone else no of any possiblities it could be???
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Apr 11, 2010
#4
  • Apr 11, 2010
  • #4
Edelbrocks are no better street carbs than any Holley is. (God, I get tired of hearing that crap)Anyone who tells you that is full of s--t. My money is the float level is too low and/or the idle mixture is too lean. Could also be the timing is retarded too much. Just because you brought it to a mechanic who "set it right" tells me it's not "set right" You're all over the place in your desciptions too. That's part of your problem. It's set right , but it's not. Then you say it's got a crank or a hole, but then you say it's not that either ?
 

tx65coupe

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
1,551
1
37
Apr 12, 2010
#5
  • Apr 12, 2010
  • #5
I seriously doubt you need to go to a 750. The 670 carb you have now should be a good match for you 351. I bet something just needs some adjustment.
 
S

sinisterstang65

Member
Apr 4, 2010
49
0
7
STL, MO
Apr 12, 2010
#6
  • Apr 12, 2010
  • #6
RE

Alright, well im only 16, so my description is not going to be as good as people who have been working on them there whole life. But we have had 3 different mechanics work on the carb, and the last one has the idel running great in park, its once you put it into drive or reverse the idle drops. Thats what we cant figure out, because we know the float and idle is set right bc it runs fine in park. We just cant figure out why it dies when we are slowing down or going around a turn. Il say it again, i know the idle is fine in park, but its once you put it into drive or reverse it get sloppy, so thats what we want to see if anyone has any ideas on what it could be.
 

woodsnake

15 Year Member
Jan 16, 2007
1,352
15
69
Hicksville, NY
Apr 12, 2010
#7
  • Apr 12, 2010
  • #7
The idle speed itself isn't the problem here. It should drop when you put it in gear. The question is more of over all tune. Where is your timing set? What is the idle speed RPM's in park? When you set the timing, did you disconnect the vacuum advance from the distributor?
You should have ~10-12~ degree's initial timing, idle in park at around 700-800 rpm. When you drop it in gear, it should be around ~600~ rpm.
If you don't know the specific numbers for the timing or RPM's, then you can't fix the problem.

Tuning by ear is fine for some things, tuning for performance requires actual numbers......
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Apr 12, 2010
#8
  • Apr 12, 2010
  • #8
woodsnake said:
The idle speed itself isn't the problem here. It should drop when you put it in gear. The question is more of over all tune. Where is your timing set? What is the idle speed RPM's in park? When you set the timing, did you disconnect the vacuum advance from the distributor?
You should have ~10-12~ degree's initial timing, idle in park at around 700-800 rpm. When you drop it in gear, it should be around ~600~ rpm.
If you don't know the specific numbers for the timing or RPM's, then you can't fix the problem.

Tuning by ear is fine for some things, tuning for performance requires actual numbers......
Click to expand...

Listen to the man, he knows his s--t......... Couldn't have said it better myself.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Apr 12, 2010
#9
  • Apr 12, 2010
  • #9
sinisterstang65 said:
Alright, well im only 16, so my description is not going to be as good as people who have been working on them there whole life. But we have had 3 different mechanics work on the carb, and the last one has the idel running great in park, its once you put it into drive or reverse the idle drops. Thats what we cant figure out, because we know the float and idle is set right bc it runs fine in park. We just cant figure out why it dies when we are slowing down or going around a turn. Il say it again, i know the idle is fine in park, but its once you put it into drive or reverse it get sloppy, so thats what we want to see if anyone has any ideas on what it could be.
Click to expand...

As woodsnake alreadt posted, the idle is supposed to drop when put into gear. The cornering and braking part is directly related to float settings. It's either too high or too low.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Engine 85 GT Backfires through Carb
  • DienstXIV
  • Oct 3, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
19
Views
576
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 7, 2025
85GTStangGuy
K
Engine 2000 Mustang GT - Fuel issue post-blown spark plug repair
  • kenster1092
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
283
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 10, 2026
kenster1092
K
B
'03 GT Fuel Pump/Pressure/Delivery Issue
  • Brodach
  • Oct 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
805
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
gkomo
T
SOLD 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra Hatchback 302 C4 Modified
  • toasterboy1
  • Nov 15, 2024
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
10
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Dec 20, 2025
toasterboy1
T
Engine 1990 LX 5.0L EFI Mustang Fuel Management Problems - HELP!
  • 5.0LXStanger
  • May 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
45
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 11, 2025
5.0LXStanger
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?