Out with the old...

"The Swedish Bandit" (swedishbandit)
09/02/2013 at 18:15 • Filed to: carbolopnik, joy

...

And in with the even older!

Okay maybe a bit of context; Lately Joy (that's my 76' Firebird for those of you who don't know) has been running like crap. It started with small things such as a tad bit of hesitation on throttle response and generally feeling a bit down on power. However as time passed things got progressively worse. I went down a couple of jet sizes on the Holley and things got a little better for a while, but it soon went even further worse.

During a lunch-run the other day, the car simply lost all throttle response and simply died about 5 miles from home. However after waiting a couple of minutes I was able to get it started again and limp it home, though still dying a couple of more times on the way.

Anyways after some diagnosing and ruling out the ignition system and the filters I came to the conclusion that it had to be the carb. Of course the first thing I did was easy checks such as looking for debris in the float bowels and needles. One of the needles were actually full of crap so I cleaned it up,put it all together and then proceeded to start it. HOLY SHIT! that things is like a fountain of gas! I didn't make things better at all, I just caused one of the worst floods Sweden has ever seen.

But to get to the point. Took the Holley of and replaced it with the ol' Rochester (or rock orkester (rock orchestra) as we call 'em here in Sweden). The thing works great! Okay haven't had time to test drive it yet, but judging by the sound it's making from idling and revving, I'd say it's better than ever right now. Only downside is that my huge airfilter won't seem to fit anymore...

Now the plan is to tear the Holley (700 DP) apart and look for the problem that's causing this. Any ideas? Also what things am I probably gonna need to buy, or will I be able to disassemble it without fucking up every gasket possible?

DISCUSSION (13)

Bandit > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:20

Can't help you here, sorry. I've got a q-jet lying around and it looks too complicated for me. Oh, should the edges on that holly be all jagged like they are in the picture?

The Swedish Bandit > Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:24

Yeah you don't mess with q-jets, since they simply never fail ;P

That jagged edge is the remains of the choke tower that the PO (of the carb) cut off. Don't really mind it since I never use the choke anyways, but I do wish that he had made the cut a bit "nicer".

GasolineLollipop > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:30

Holley sells three rebuild kits Basic one is the renew kit. Then there is the fast kit which comes with better reusable gaskets. There is also the trick kit which allows for more advanced tuning options. I usually buy the fast kits then buy the upgrade parts as I need them.

PS9 > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:34

...and in with the new fuel injection syste-*scrolls*

...

Oh. Uhh... Nevermind. Nothing to see here, move along!

The Swedish Bandit > GasolineLollipop
09/02/2013 at 18:40

I'll probably tear it all apart now until I find the problem (if there is an obvious one) and then decide what to buy to get it back together. I've noticed that a lot of the gaskets and such you can buy separately , so if I'm able to save as many of the old one's as possible I might get away a bit cheaper...

Though now that I think about it, it's probably for the best if I replace all the gaskets I encounter while I still have it apart anyways. Okay fast kit it is then!

The Swedish Bandit > PS9
09/02/2013 at 18:42

Sorry, I need carbs to feel enough macho .

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:46

Have you checked the points? Or are you on electronic ignition?

Also have you considered the fuel pump? My dad had the fuel pump go bad on his 79 Blazer years ago. It ran fin until the truck warmed up then it would run like crap and eventually die out.

GasolineLollipop > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 18:47

You may have a bad accelerator pump diaphragm. That can cause a hesitation off idle. Remember to wipe the gaskets with vaseline so the next tear down won't tear the gaskets.

The Swedish Bandit > GasolineLollipop
09/02/2013 at 18:53

Okay but can it cause flooding on idle without even touching the throttle? Cause that's kind of what happened. Also thanks for the vaseline tip!

GasolineLollipop > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 19:01

The flooding is possibly the floats sticking open. Was there fuel coming from the vents?If you hit the float bowls lightly it can help remedy it but its best to open it up and see why they are sticking. Set the float height when the bowl is off and then when its assembled you can pull the fuel level check plug to check and see if its set correctly.

Their website has some good resources. http://www.holley.com/TechService/Li…

The Swedish Bandit > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123
09/02/2013 at 19:01

If by points you mean needles (ain't too good with carb talk yet), then yes I've checked and cleaned them.

No electronics, all mechanical.

Your dad's problem sounds exactly like the one I have and I've absolutely considered the pump. However with the q-jet installed it seems to be working perfectly so I would have thought that the Holley would be the issue. However I guess I will find out for sure when I take it out for a spin tomorrow morning

The Swedish Bandit > GasolineLollipop
09/02/2013 at 19:07

The nr. 1 vent had fuel coming out of it. It is possible that I got the floats wrong as when i cleaned the needles, I only used the eyeball method (3 visible threads in the front and 2 in the back). Actually forgot completely about the level check plug, damn! Would have been useful.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > The Swedish Bandit
09/02/2013 at 21:09

No no... The contact points under the distributor.

Kinja'd!!!

My 72 Cutlass runs like crap after it warms up once the points go bad. Fine when it's cold, but as soon as it warms up it loses power, runs like crap then backfires if you try to open the throttle to make up for the lack of power.