- Joined
- Nov 8, 2010
- Messages
- 119
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Choctaw, Oklahoma
- My Car
- 1973 Mach 1
351c 2v
Edelbrock 4bbl, Performer Intake
Ram-Air
Pertronix Electronic Ignition
Hey all,
I have a Edelbrock 1406 - 600cfm 4bbl electric choke. I just rebuilt it last week and have gotten it running. My issue is the fine tuning. I don't want to be burning any richer than I need to be. I tried using my voltmeter tach and the edelbrock instructions for best lean idle. The issue is that the engine responds in spurts as opposed to evenly which makes it hard to see when the rpms stop going up. I need some instruction on how to tune one using a vacuum gauge if possible.
I have my initial timing set at ~14 BTDC (no vacuum advance) which seems to be ok. I checked it yesterday and it was up near 20 BTDC. I figured that some of my starting issues might be the engine loading the starter but the starting issues didn't seem to resolve when I retarded it. Regardless I know that 14 is pretty safe on a Cleveland at idle and I don't have pinging issues high up so I'm comfortable my total is at or less than 38 BTDC.
I need to figure out why it is having trouble starting, which is a fuel issue I believe. She'll crank and crank as strong as ever but she wont fire up without me working the gas pedal in a manner which I frankly haven't perfected (I think I've just been lucky because I don't even know if my starting issues are the fact that it is flooded or starved). Occasionally idling, at a light or what not, the engine will sputter and want to die unless I throw it in neutral (possibly transmission but don't tell me transmissions hurt my ability to start!) Seems like either the fuel pump is weak or the sending unit is clogged (or the tank vent is clogged even though it doesn't suck air when the cap is open). I'm going to be dropping the tank in a few weeks to see how bad it is. The car had been sitting for 15 years so if the tank looks like the carb then I have some work.
I have no idea what to do with the choke setting. Right now it is set at the middle base setting. Should I make it richer to help with starting?
Any recommendations on timing and carburetor tuning are welcome. Items I'd like to know: What should my idle speed be set at, how to tune a carb with a vacuum gauge, timing suggestions, everything else to do with my issues. Thanks again everyone.
Update: So I have been reading around and researching. I have found an instruction set for tuning with a vacuum gauge, but it doesn't specify what vacuum port to use. Am I using the ported or full-time vacuum port? They have 900rpm +/- 100 as the idle speed, this seems a little high to me. Thanks again for the help.
I have a Edelbrock 1406 - 600cfm 4bbl electric choke. I just rebuilt it last week and have gotten it running. My issue is the fine tuning. I don't want to be burning any richer than I need to be. I tried using my voltmeter tach and the edelbrock instructions for best lean idle. The issue is that the engine responds in spurts as opposed to evenly which makes it hard to see when the rpms stop going up. I need some instruction on how to tune one using a vacuum gauge if possible.
I have my initial timing set at ~14 BTDC (no vacuum advance) which seems to be ok. I checked it yesterday and it was up near 20 BTDC. I figured that some of my starting issues might be the engine loading the starter but the starting issues didn't seem to resolve when I retarded it. Regardless I know that 14 is pretty safe on a Cleveland at idle and I don't have pinging issues high up so I'm comfortable my total is at or less than 38 BTDC.
I need to figure out why it is having trouble starting, which is a fuel issue I believe. She'll crank and crank as strong as ever but she wont fire up without me working the gas pedal in a manner which I frankly haven't perfected (I think I've just been lucky because I don't even know if my starting issues are the fact that it is flooded or starved). Occasionally idling, at a light or what not, the engine will sputter and want to die unless I throw it in neutral (possibly transmission but don't tell me transmissions hurt my ability to start!) Seems like either the fuel pump is weak or the sending unit is clogged (or the tank vent is clogged even though it doesn't suck air when the cap is open). I'm going to be dropping the tank in a few weeks to see how bad it is. The car had been sitting for 15 years so if the tank looks like the carb then I have some work.
I have no idea what to do with the choke setting. Right now it is set at the middle base setting. Should I make it richer to help with starting?
Any recommendations on timing and carburetor tuning are welcome. Items I'd like to know: What should my idle speed be set at, how to tune a carb with a vacuum gauge, timing suggestions, everything else to do with my issues. Thanks again everyone.
Update: So I have been reading around and researching. I have found an instruction set for tuning with a vacuum gauge, but it doesn't specify what vacuum port to use. Am I using the ported or full-time vacuum port? They have 900rpm +/- 100 as the idle speed, this seems a little high to me. Thanks again for the help.
Last edited by a moderator: