|
Put two
cans of “dry gas” or one can of “stp” gas treatment. In the fuel tank and fill
the tank. Replace fuel filter in the carb and any inline filters you might
have. To test the timing – bring the #1 cylinder up. If you have a crank bolt
put a socket on it and turn the engine until your timing marks line up. Then
remove your dist cap and see if the rotor is pointing to the number #1 wire. If
all that checks, out- get a can of “fast Start” spray ether. With the engine
running spray ether below the carb onto the manifold and the base of the carb, any
vacuum hoses you have. If the engine sucks in the ether it will rev and that
shows you have a vacuum leak. Then move slowly around the engine spraying ether
to isolate the problem. -----Original
Message----- Okay – I got the car out
of the garage today for its first long jaunt to the nearest gas station, and I
learned a few things. First, some background… I joined the Air Force
in 1997, and shortly afterwards, the Chevelle was parked at my Dad’s place and
driven on the rare occasion I had enough leave and money to get back to central
California and enough time and patience to get the car out and drive it.
However, upon retaking possession of the car about 4 months ago, it had not so
much as been started in no less then 7 years. Ouch. Okay, so now I am
back in Fresno, California, and planning on a tear down as soon as I find out
if I got promoted or not (sometime in late Dec or Jan), but I want the car
running so I can take it to local shops for advice on body work, etc.. I
replaced the spark plugs, changed the oil and filter, made sure there was air
in the ancient tires, charged the battery (new battery), topped off the tranny
fluid, and started it up. Car starts just fine – but it will absolutely
not idle. I took the carb apart and replaced all the gaskets since I had
a leak or two. While I was in there, I replaced the power valve and
checked the jets to make sure they were not clogged with anything. The
carb was remarkably clean for a carb that was parked wet 8 years ago – it
nearly looked like new. I adjusted the floats by turning the float bowl
upside down and adjusting until level with the top/bottom of the bowl. I
had my landlord take a look at my work because in his past life he was an auto
mechanic for about 15 years. He gave the “thumbs up” on the carb work,
and I buttoned it up. I took the car out to
top off with some 91 octane “high test” gas, and it ran okay – but would not
idle or run particularly well at anything under about 1300 RPM. I have to
lightly pump the gas pedal to keep it running below 1300 RPM, and it will run
okay from about 1300 until 1600 – where the engine finally kicks in. From
about 800 to 1200, the car runs “rough” where it feels like the car wants to
quit, but I am keeping it going with pumping the gas. The temp raised
slowly until about 180* where it leveled off. Oil pressure held at about
60 pounds. The distributor (Mallory COMP 9000) is tight, so presumably it
is where it was left 8 years ago when the car ran fine (I don’t have a timing
light – disappeared). The car did not start on fire (this time). I
have been banging my head against the wall for a few weeks, so I ask the help
of all you smart folks to help me figure it out. For some reason, I am thinking
it may be the fuel pump (90% of presumed carb problems originate at the pump,
right?). Some more details: 72 Chevelle, 350/TH350
combo Holley Vac Sec 600 CFM
carb (Model 1860, I believe) I have not replaced the
fuel filters yet – perhaps tomorrow I have one plug wire (#5
cylinder) that may or may not be bad. The 90* boot burned through many
years ago, and I rigged it with spare parts to make it into a straight wire to
get around the header (Hooker comp series, full length – circa 1990). It
still has a very small spot where there is no rubber on the wire where it
attaches to the plug, but it always worked just fine before. I know – I
was in high school and spent all my money dating girls and rigged the car to
keep it running. Dumb kid. What do you think?
Is anyone still reading? TJR Clovis, California |
Title: Chevelle will absolutely not idle - help
- Re: [Chevelle-list] Chevelle will absolutely not idle - he... Jim H. Thompson
- Re: [Chevelle-list] Chevelle will absolutely not idle... Rick Schaefer
