Nothings ever easy

TBP · Jun 5, 2005

I finally got the opportunity to try and start my 351 since I installed the Edelbrock intake and the new Holley carb. It sounded like it wanted to start, and it did stumble over a few times, but never would catch. So, I get out, walk back around and look under the hood. The steel fuel line into the carb is pissing out fuel like crazy. It's an older one, so I figure it's just not seating well. Disappointing, yes, but not the end of the world. The fuel line can be replaced right? Well, technically yes, if any of the lame ass auto parts stores around here carried them. I guess Summit will be getting some more money from me.

concreteman · Jun 5, 2005

Years ago my wife complained that the 69 was running rough so I went to work on it, tried everything, checked plugs, points, timing,etc. Her brother knew the car better then me so I managed to get it running and we jumped in and baby'd it over to his place, he works on it for an hour and we still can't figure out what is wrong, frustrated he leans onto the motor andplaces his hand on top of the coil, engine smooths right out, damn coil wire had backed off just enough that it was only getting part of the connection from the distributor.

mustangman70 · Jun 5, 2005

LOL thats why i have a coil wire retainer on my oil

When you buy a SD coil, spemnd the extra 2 bucks or so and get the little L shaped bracket that holds the wire on, its like cheap insurence lol

TBP · Jun 5, 2005

OK. Now I am stumped. Found a fuel line today, and replaced the malfunctioning one. However, the engine still won't turn over. It tries, and even sputters a little bit, but just won't catch and run. I checked all electrical connections. Double checked the firing order, and everything looks right. Fuel is getting to the carb. Any thoughts?

6Stang7 · Jun 5, 2005

pull a plug out, connect it to it's wire, ground it on the motor, and look at the spark itself. if that is good, then we have the fuel issue here. if fuel is getting to the carb, next question is what type of carb, and when was it rebuilt/cleaned last?

TBP · Jun 5, 2005

6Stang7 said:
pull a plug out, connect it to it's wire, ground it on the motor, and look at the spark itself. if that is good, then we have the fuel issue here. if fuel is getting to the carb, next question is what type of carb, and when was it rebuilt/cleaned last?

First off, thanks for the response.

I will test the spark plug tomorrow. I just took a shower, and I want to stay clean for a few hours.

The carb is a brand new, holley 750, w/vacuum secondaries. I purchased it from Summit about 1 month ago.

6Stang7 · Jun 5, 2005

ok, then i'm guessing spark. i'd test every plug to make suer you are having a good, strong spark on each one.

TBP · Jun 5, 2005

6Stang7 said:
ok, then i'm guessing spark. i'd test every plug to make suer you are having a good, strong spark on each one.

Cool. I wasn't very fond of the skin on my knuckles anyway. There is just so much room to get to the spark plugs on this thing.

Thanks for the reply.

69 Rustang · Jun 5, 2005

Did you pull the distributor or any of the plug wires when you swapped the manifold? Could the distributor be off time or the wires be mis-wired? Just some other thoughts--if you have spark and fuel--it may not run if the firing order is wrong or timing is far enough out.

TBP · Jun 6, 2005

69 Rustang said:
Did you pull the distributor or any of the plug wires when you swapped the manifold? Could the distributor be off time or the wires be mis-wired? Just some other thoughts--if you have spark and fuel--it may not run if the firing order is wrong or timing is far enough out.

The distributor was not pulled. The plug wires were removed, so I could get the valve covers off and replace the gaskets. I followed the firing order diagram, checked it multiple times. I suppose the timing could still be off, I just don't know what would have caused it.

TBP · Jun 6, 2005

Well, the problem was definitely the timing. I reset the timing, and now she starts right up. Seems that I might have a vacuum leak somewhere though. She runs good as long as I keep my foot in the gas, as soon as I let off she dies.

mustangman70 · Jun 6, 2005

possible idle set too low

TBP · Jun 6, 2005

mustangman70 said:
possible idle set too low

Good point it is a new carb. I guess I shouldn't jump to conclusions about a vacuum leak.

On edit, I am fairly positive it's a vacuum leak. The loud whistling sound kind of gives it away. I just can't seem to find it.

65fastback2+2 · Jun 6, 2005

it was sounding to me like the dizzy was 180 off....theres not to many vacuum leak possibilities on those cars.

TBP · Jun 6, 2005

65fastback2+2 said:
it was sounding to me like the dizzy was 180 off....theres not to many vacuum leak possibilities on those cars.

You think it would be that far off? I corrected 90 already. I guess it won't kill anything to try another 90.

65fastback2+2 · Jun 6, 2005

s-code said:
You think it would be that far off? I corrected 90 already. I guess it won't kill anything to try another 90.

when i did my roller 5.0 conversion i had it 180 off. it would get like 2 hits on 2 cylinders but would just keep turning over and never start.

66StangFastback · Jun 6, 2005

If your cam is too big, which it shouldnt be if it ran before, then your idle would be too low and it wouldnt start. Does it have a really spaced, lopey idle if it idles at all?

notny41 · Jun 7, 2005

If you suspect a vac leak you can shoot some carb cleaner around the carb spacer and if the engine changes rpm, you have a vac leak. I'd check that first. It is the easiest and you won't lose any skin off your knuckles. I thought I had a nice tight carb. Sprayed on each side...one side, no change, other side and the engine sped up. I pulled the carb - wrong gaskets were on it. $2.50 later my car ran like it had just rolled off the line at Ford.

TBP · Jun 8, 2005

Well, so far I haven't found a vacuum leak. The engine will turn over and start pretty easily now. However, unless I constantly feather the gas pedal, it stalls out. Any more recommendations? Could this still be a timing issue?

mudbilly · Jun 8, 2005

did you adjust the float level and idle mixture on the new holley?

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