Could it be my timing?
09-17-2007, 09:07 AM
#12
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location:
Posts: 877
RE: Could it be my timing?
How many turns are the idle mixture screws set at, what size is the carburetor, and what size is the motor? The purpose of a choke is to richen the mixture because you need a greater fuel to air ratio to start the car when it is cold (even tempratures in the 80s and 90s are cold to a motor that is designed to run in the 180-260 range). Once warm the mix needs to be leaner because too much fuel will cause the exact same problems you are describing. The fact that the car starts fine when cold with out a choke tells me that the idle mix screws are definitely set wrong or the carburetor is to big. Edelbrock has a cable choke option; I would install one, reset the idle mix screws and see how it runs.
09-17-2007, 02:25 PM
#15
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Wasilla, Alaska
Posts: 2,505
RE: Could it be my timing?
It's possible that you may have some sediment in your tank, filter, or your carb. After the car runs a while it draws the sediment to the ports. After you let it sit, it falls away and this may continue over and over and..............
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09-17-2007, 03:14 PM
#16
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Near Cape Cod, Mass.
Posts: 615
RE: Could it be my timing?
Someone else suggested a dirty carb. I'm changing the coil and bought a new one today and am trying to do this via process of elimination, but it's frustrating as ****
09-18-2007, 02:00 AM
#18
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Posts: 293
RE: Could it be my timing?
My Pontiac (and I'm assuming we're diagnosing your Pontiac here) with an Edelbrock carb runs great without a choke and has always started well in temps from -25 to 100 F. The only time it has trouble running or starting is on restart after it is shut off and heat soaks.
So...
How hot is the engine running?
What is the idle speed?
Is there a strong gas smell when it's running bad?
If you don't already have one, an HEI distributor is a nice upgrade over the stock points setup.
So...
How hot is the engine running?
What is the idle speed?
Is there a strong gas smell when it's running bad?
If you don't already have one, an HEI distributor is a nice upgrade over the stock points setup.
09-18-2007, 02:27 AM
#19
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Near Cape Cod, Mass.
Posts: 615
RE: Could it be my timing?
Engine is running 180 to 190 hot, oil pressure is fine, too.
When it's running bad I don't notice a bad gas smell and I don't know the idle speed but had it adjusted and at first, it's fine but of course when it begins to act up it's just not there.
When it's running bad I don't notice a bad gas smell and I don't know the idle speed but had it adjusted and at first, it's fine but of course when it begins to act up it's just not there.
