Topic: Heading in that direction

[Meric]

Ok the fuel pump was giving me some problems yesterday but I think I got that problem fixed.  I got her to fire this morning and stay running so awsome!  No exuast right now so she is a loud one, lol.  Gonna order tank and exaust today, will still need to replace the trunk but for now Im gonna focus more on the motor and get that end in shape.  I thought origianlly the tank was one that bolted to  trunk floor but it doesnt so just gonna let that problem ride for now.  I was so stoked yesterday getting her to run I could hardly sleep. Hearing that motor growl was...wow. Always dreamed of one and now I have one, sorry just stoked.   Interior is cherry minus the seats, rust in the back floor pan is just a 9x9 peice of sheet metal to fix. Other then that the body is solid.  Gonna have to replace hood and hinges. Pull vinyal top and sand the top down feeling some bubbling under it.  For a grand I walked away with a steal!

[Soaring]

Isn't it exciting to get an engine to fire and keep running?  Been there, done that.  Now get the engine tuned and take it out for a spin.  That will put a smile on your face.  If you have welding skills, I'd just go ahead and replace that rear floor pan.  Patched panels will give you problems down the road. 

[Meric]

Yeah was planning on replacing that floor plan. Been having trouble for her to stay running again,  sounds like its running to rich though so trying to figure that out right now.  A little aggrivating but end the end you cant help but smile.  Anyone have any tips on adjusting carb settings?  Edelbrock Thunder series carb.

[6mustang6]

Turn the idle mixture screws inward til they stop. dont turn too hard. Turn both back about 1.5-2 turns. that should be close to where you need them. Depending on the size of the carb, you may need to change out the metering rods to flow less fuel.

[Soaring]

6Mustang6 is talking about the idle mixture screws.  If it idles smoothly after following his advice, but runs like shit at WOT, then you have other issues such as vacuum leaks, or possibly the floats need to be lowered slightly so you have less fuel to air ratio mixture.  What engine and Venturi on that carb?  You might have too much carb for that engine.  It might just be as simple as changing the jets to smaller ones.  If it runs rich, you are getting too much fuel for the amount of air to be mixed with it, and you don't have enough spark to efficiently burn the gas that is entering the firing champer.  Making the engine run rough.  It's like it is choking on too much gas that it can't burn.

[6mustang6]

like i said, he might have to change out the metering rods. Edelbrocks arent quite set up like other carbs. He's probably got a carb thats too big for that engine on it.

[Soaring]

That's my guess too, but I don't know jack shit about Edelbrock carbs.   Tell us about these metering rods.  Is that basically the same as jets?  And if so, how do they work, and can you change them out for smaller ones?  Ejumicate us. 
We need to know the Engine, mods to the engine, and the venturi of that big carb.  Enough spark?  MSD?  lots of answers before a stab in the dark answer. 

[66GTKFB]

Try this link for a theory of operation - http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gilesij/Volvord/edelbrock_1.htm
These carbs are complicated and difficult to "dial in". There are several types of fuel/air mixture compensation parts that interact with each other, eg, change one and something else goes out of whack. Further complicating the "dial in" process is the carb's sensivity to different altitudes and air humidity: what works at sea level won't work at 5,000 feet. Weber and Mikuni carbs have similar quirks. With Autolite and many Holley carbs, you need only to change the main jets to adjust for altitude differences.
Jim

[6mustang6]

I still like Edelbrock better for out of the box performance and I have never had to mess with one as much as a holley.

[Soaring]

Jim,
That's what I thought but wasn't sure.  I only run a motorcraft carb on my 65.   I can work on it and dial it in easily.  It runs smoothly, and basically never have to deal with it for years.  Tough and reliable carbs. 

[Meric]

Sorry been gone, couldnt get on site.  Yeah I got it idleing a lot smoother now, 2 bad plugwires, so went ahead and replaced all plugs and wires.  Ordered a new tank yesterday so it will be a little while before it comes in so Im gonna start sanding a little bit as a time filler.  I do think it still sounds like its running rich.  The motor is a 351C I believe pistons are factory or atleast close to.  Has an edlebrock performance 2-v intake, and I cant find a plate with any identification but believe its a 650cfm edlebrock Thunder carb.  On the carb there are two stems on the front, above the adjustment screws, the manual says the one line in should b on the right side, but the P.O. but a cap on it and has a line running in above the left adjustment screw. This for me is a project to learn more about mechanics in general.  So if some of my terminology is off I am sorry.  She is sounding pretty decent now, can I adjust the idle mixture screws while running and try and go by ear?  Took her for a ride today!!! Didnt "get on it" but put my foot into it a little, she sputtered a little bit but didnt die.  A step in the right direction.

[Soaring]

I tune mine by ear.  Works for me.