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Customs Holley Carb issues!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Karl M, Aug 20, 2019.

  1. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

  2. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Got brave and drove it to work this morning. Ran good all the way, six miles. Got to work, put it in park and reved the motor...black smoke. More adjusting needed...float level, air mixed needles.....?
    Thanks again for the info.
     
  3. rjones35
    Joined: May 12, 2008
    Posts: 865

    rjones35
    Member

    Smaller jets?
     
    Center of the Galaxie likes this.
  4. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    When I run into something confounding when troubleshooting an issue what usually works best for me is to kind of back up and start from scratch, from the beginning, and "assume" nothing. Have you measured the static fuel pump pressure output? Your vacuum gauge will do this. Pressure is not a substitute for volume, check to see that plenty of clean fuel is delivered. Direct the fuel pump output into a clean container and see that at least a pint or so is supplied in 15 to 30 seconds.

    Lots of defective fuel pumps out there these days. Then check the wet fuel height in the bowl is at spec after idling a couple minutes. Fuel level is not the same thing as float height, the fuel height in the bowl is what counts because every carb circuit is calibrated around a specific fuel level being maintained from idle to wide open throttle, usually within a 1/32" in. Check that the float isn't sunk due to pinholes or something like that.
     
    Boneyard51, Johnny Gee and j-jock like this.
  5. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Boneyard51 likes this.
  6. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    A little black smoke doesn't mean much on it's own , maybe change the accelerator pump cam or just cam position , maybe a smaller set of shooters ( discharge nozzles), many things to try.... I don't remember seeing the size of the carb , may be just too big ......
     
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  7. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Got home check the accelerator pump arm-good, adjusted float level. Turn passenger side idle screw all the way in and carb never stumbled!. Blew it out, no blockage. Turn fuel regulator down to 3.5 before I could get the idle screws to work right. Not sure if this is such a good regulator. Out of daylight now.
     

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  8. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

  9. Just because the regulator say 3.5 lb doesn't mean the fuel pressure IS actually 3.5 lb. It needs to be checked with a proper gauge.

    What are you running for a fuel pump?
     
  10. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Mechanical,
     
  11. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Today's mechanical pumps are terrible in the pressure department. Often they make to much of it.
     
  12. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    Those little regulators are notorious for not working.




    Bones
     
  13. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 3,518

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    That regulator isn’t worth the cost to send it here from China . If it is working tomorrow it may not when you need your most to be running
     
    Karl M likes this.
  14. A 7.5 opens earlier than a 6.5. I prefer to run a power valve where the mixture starts to richen at a lower vacuum. I live in mountainous country, where economy unnecessarily suffers when the power valve opens earlier.
    Did you check that the faces on the carb were true? An internal leak between the carb face and the metering block can cause it to run rich.
    Bob
     
  15. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    What do you mean you checked the pump arm ?? What. Is. The. List no. On The. Airhorn ????
     
  16. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,600

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Do I detect some Nicolas Cage? :D
     
    ClayMart likes this.
  17. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Just another crotchety old bastard
     
  18. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Accelerator pump...is adjusted correctly.
     
  19. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Any recommendations on a good fuel regulator? I see Holley sells a variety of them.
     
  20. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    List- 4548 - s
     
  21. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    That's a 450 cfm ford spec 4bbl ,it's jetted fairly lean(#59 pri) so if it's running rich , it's probably a needle and seat/ float/ fuel pressure type problem , there's nothing wrong with the Holley deadhead fuel pressure regulator 12-803... The accelerator pump shooters are supposed to be #21 , that's very small , check to be sure no one's changed them..
     
  22. Karl M
    Joined: Jul 19, 2017
    Posts: 119

    Karl M

    Thanks, just checked the regulator out with a pressure gauge, all settings dead on. So will continue to check out all the advice given here. One thing the started is real slow cranking, may have to see if a high torque stater is better and or run another ground. Don't know if that dumping to much gas in the beginning.
     
  23. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    If it's a stock low compression engine then there's no need for anything more than a stock starter ...
     
  24. This is a timely thread as I just rebuilt the 1850-4 that resides atop the 390 FE in my late 60s truck. It is running the best it ever has now but I can't seem to stop a leak from the balance tube at the rear bowl. It almost seems like the tube was replaced at some point prior to my ownership as it doesn't look stock to me? The rebuild kit came with umbrella type seals but they are bigger than the ones the carb has. Are different tubes available somewhere? I looked on the Holley site but don’t see anything. FE641349-F7C9-4046-97DA-0D1608391B93.jpeg EFF3E2C9-3D9A-429E-97BF-F63BE50A7B25.png 84649502-7F1C-4AC4-8828-464B57F3C370.jpeg D2416801-6AA0-4C44-8231-7A3AC6DF65D9.jpeg
     
  25. Make sure the tube is in good condition on both ends. I've been known to put 2 o-rings on each end and lubricate them well before trying to assemble.
     
  26. Well that's the thing, the tube looks just like a piece of aluminum that someone cut? What do the ends of the stock tube that takes o-rings look like? Is there a shoulder or a groove for the o-ring?
     
  27. There is a shoulder at each end to keep the o-rings from being pushed too far down the tube.
    Holley balance tube.PNG
     
    Deuces and cactus1 like this.
  28. Ok that’s my problem then. There is no shoulder. Just a plain tube. Poop.
     
  29. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    When looking for a transfer tube there are 2 different lengths , one for a carb with sec metering block , one for a sec metering plate ....
     
    Boneyard51, Deuces and cactus1 like this.
  30. No secondary block on mine. The series number should denote that yes?
     

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