won't idle

[BigRedTrucker]

so I tried my hand at rebuilding my edelbrock. Didn't go so well . I can get the engine started but only if I keep my foot in it, will it (run albeit at a higher RPM). It took awhile for me to find time to actual put it all back together after dipping in carb dip. I think either I've got a vacuum leak or some nastiness that was left from the dip (the stuff drying and leaving a nasty powder). Is it possible to hit the idle passage ways with brake cleaner? Also if I'm careful, can I reuse the carb to intake gaskets? (Yes, gaskets, I'm using actually the mr. gasket half-inch spacer with the alternating gasket and aluminum plate setup).

[18436572]

to rule out the vacuum leak, spray carb cleaner around the gasket and if the engine rpm is not affected, then no vacuum leak. I have used the carb gaskets numerous times over and over with no problem. I would use carb cleaner to hit the idle passage ways. Not sure if that will cure your problems but I have sprayed cleaner down the carb several times.

[BigRedTrucker]

I think I'm going to have to pull the carb because I don't think the idle passage ways can be gotten to on vehicle. Thanks for your response. I'd try the spray thing but I can't get it to idle, so it's hard to check that.

[BigRedTrucker]

OK, carb is off engine, I pulled it apart, but I don't know, I think I may have some bad gas issues. The gas doesn't smell too bad but . . . . .for a second there smelled like a wetdog. . . .LOL. I may try pulling the gas out of the tank and putting fresh in. I wonder if bad gas would cause my issues, it's been about 2 months or so. I may have Perfomance Specialists in Houston build me a Q-jet. . . . . .Is there a way to make sure the idle passageways are clean on a carter/edelbrock AFB?

[viking]

Good read straight from the horse

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...ers_manual.pdf

[BigRedTrucker]

Thanks, that's what I needed. I guess I need to take off the idle mixture screws and squirt me some cleaner down there.

[BigRedTrucker]

Yeah, a lot of things went wrong on this one. I can tell you the carb stayed in the dip a lot longer than one hour. . . . .so the carb is ruined?

[18436572]

No the carb is NOT ruined. The cleaner removes the coating, not the same color anymore.

[HOSS429]

why did you decide it needed a rebuild to start with .. those carbs arent known to leak .. there`s only one top gasket .. if it`s the same as my edelbrock carb that is ( built like the old afb carter ) .. the idle circuit is very sensitive ..

[R Pope]

Sounds to me like you have the floats set too low.

[BigRedTrucker]

I set the floats using the included ruler with the carb kit. I thought about them being too low but I'm not sure that's the problem. I had to adjust them a little almost none. I rebuilt it because I was getting VERY poor gas mileage. I replaced the distributor thinking maybe the ESC was causing my ignition timing to be retarded, but that didn't help. The plugs were new, it could have been the wires I guess. But I checked the compression and I had about 130 lbs on every cylinder. The air filter was clean. That leaves fuel and camshaft. I may have to change the camshaft since I changed to a four speed auto with overdrive from a TH350C and it may put cruising RPM at one that has low vacuum causing the rods to pop up with the spring tension.

[HOSS429]

mine is a gas drinker also but i dont want to really bother with jet changes and such .. i just blow the sut out now and then .. i have an edelbrock 500 on my 4.3 chevy V6 .. its just a tad rich..

[BigRedTrucker]

Ok, I've got it to idle, kind of. I drove it around but seem to be running low on vaccuum (I hit the brakes and it feels like manual brakes, plenty of pressure at the pedal just a little slow in stopping), so it's not the proper idle mixture. Also seemed a little lean. I tried putting a vacuum gauge on the timed side of the carb and on the port side but neither showed any vaccuum reading while the engine was idling (poorly). I sprayed a WD-40-like spray around the carb base but didn't change the engine running. I also sprayed the vacuum ports (the two in front) while it was idling (poorly) and it didn't change anything. Is there a different place to check vacuum while idling? Thanks for all the help!

[threearmsinjune]

can you check at the brake booster?

[65ny]

I also sprayed the vacuum ports (the two in front) while it was idling (poorly) and it didn't change anything. Is there a different place to check vacuum while idling? Thanks for all the help!

Spraying into the vacuum ports should have made a difference if the spray is flamable (or for the worse if it isn't) Use the big 3/8 vacuum port in the lower/front of the carb. Are you positive you have the correct intake/carb gasket?