Engine starting issues

[TBP]

The last few months haven't afforded me much wrenching time, but this weekend is rainy, my honey-do list is caught up, and the garage was beckoning my name. When I last left it, my 351 C, with Edelbrock Performer, and Holley 750 was not starting. Since time with the car has been hit and miss over the past 18 months, it was recommended that I drain the tank of any fuel, and put fresh fuel in so that I am not gumming things up. I did that this morning, and lo and behold, she almost started on the first turn of the key. After tinkering with the carb a little, I can keep her running, but it's rough and surges and kind of mini-backfires though the exhaust and the carb (no flames or anyting). Can anyone offer any advice/direction so that I don't potentially make things worse?

Please ask if I need to provide additional info. I would love to get her purring this weekend.

 

[TBP]

Update: I turned the idle mixture screws all the way in, and then started backing them out 1/4 turns at a time, until it would stay running, the 1/8 turns after that. Now, I can get it started and it stayed running, but seemed to be idleing way to fast.

 

[krash kendall]

Turn back the idle limit screw above the idle cam on the end of the cross-shaft near the end of your accelerator linkage.

 

[krash kendall]

Oh, and if you want to adjust the mixture screws properly, buy yourself a vacuum guage for your toolbox. Makes a world of difference.

 

[TBP]

Turn back the idle limit screw above the idle cam on the end of the cross-shaft near the end of your accelerator linkage.

Engrish porfavor?

 

[TBP]

Oh, and if you want to adjust the mixture screws properly, buy yourself a vacuum guage for your toolbox. Makes a world of difference.

Yeah, I know, but I already buy to many tools as it is. I need to spend more money on diagnostic tools.

 

[krash kendall]

I need to spend more money on diagnostic tools.

A vacuum guage is a diagnostic tool. You can use it for mixture or even setting your timing.

The idle stop screw is what the throttle mechanism hits when you let off on the accelerator. It sometimes has a spring wrapped around it like your mixture screws. It will be on the side of your carb.

 

[TBP]

A vacuum guage is a diagnostic tool. You can use it for mixture or even setting your timing.

The idle stop screw is what the throttle mechanism hits when you let off on the accelerator. It sometimes has a spring wrapped around it like your mixture screws. It will be on the side of your carb.

Copy that. Thanks chief. I'll check it out right after I finish watching Battlestar Galactica on Tivo.

 

[TBP]

OK, I did as suggested, and it is seeming to get better. However, I am still getting small backfires, more like spitting, out of the carb.

1. I am going to install an inline fuel filter up by the carb.

2. What size fuel line should I be using, from the hardline out of the fuel pump to the carb?

Thanks

 

[krash kendall]

I would imagine that carb has an inlet for 3/8" line.

 

[KillerKittyCat]

Two quick things.
Did you check the timing??
Also cross firing plug wires will cause the carb to spit!

 

[wild70stang]

Here is a good website about Vacuume Gauges

http://www.centuryperformance.com/vacuum.asp

 

[TBP]

Two quick things.
Did you check the timing??
Also cross firing plug wires will cause the carb to spit!

Thanks, I reduced the fuel line to 5/16 and adjusted the tune on the carb. That seems to have eliminated the spitting problem. The timing seems to be fine also.

Currently, my primary problem is that it seems ti be idling way to fast, which I understand could be a vacuum leak as well as several other things.

 

[TBP]

Here is a good website about Vacuume Gauges

http://www.centuryperformance.com/vacuum.asp

Sweet. I bought one today. Now I can learn how to use it.