Re: Help for a new guy
 

Don't think I have helped much here and this is probably not the problem either, but it happened to me when I built my Rochester M the first time. I bought 3 disassembled Rochesters, 1 model M (manual choke) and 2 MV's (automatic choke) parts carbs to build one good one and the plan went fine, as I wanted the Model M. It ran rough but idled pretty good. Since all 3 carbs were completely disassembled I had put the metering rod spring under the power piston arm instead of on the top. The drawings in the kit instructions did not show the spring position, so it was a guess.

The pic is of one of my parts carbs and how the spring should be positioned.

Later---DAC

Re: Help for a new guy
 

I'm trying to troubleshoot things without pulling apart the carb. I replaced the points and set the timing about 3-4 marks above 0 (TDC). I adjusted the fuel mixture. It runs better, but the only way to get it to highway speed is by pulling the choke out 1/4-1/2". One thing I noticed is that when I was going down a long steep hill in 1st, blue/white smoke poured out; it doesn't do this when idling. I hope it's not burning oil (?).

Re: Help for a new guy
 

IDK about the I6, but the V6 only has a couple of marks for timing. If you set it 3-4 marks on that motor you'd be at like...+15 on timing:ahhhh:


Are you sure that's right?

Re: Help for a new guy
 

so it idles OK but you can't get it moving without having the choke partly on? Does it die just above an idle without the choke? Do you leave it on or push it back in after you get going?

Re: Help for a new guy
 

I was driving it 50-60 MPH with the choke still on. If I pushed the choke in, it would run but was really rough. I can get it rolling with the choke off, but it has to be revved pretty high to get it rolling.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Congrats on a great truck.
Boy, that is a nice one.
Well, Vern....I've been readin along and I might have missed something, but I might be able to help you out..
First of all....rule of thumb is....If you need to choke your engine to get it to straighten out...then you're probably fuel starved. When you pull the choke, you reduce the airflow in, which makes it run better because you improved your air to fuel ratio.
It can be anything from a fuel filter to a poor fuel pump to a blocked port inside of your carb.
So think along those lines....maybe you can figure it out.
Of course, I might be wrong.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Sounds just like a clogged fuel filter, replace the one inside the carb if you have already cleaned it it may still have shellac in it..Vernski:poke:

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Agree with all that advice - sitting still isn't good for us or our trucks. Engine either fuel starved, or you have a leaky intake gasket leaning up the mix. Easy way to eliminate a leaky gasket is with a can of starter fluid. Get the engine idling smooth and slow. Spray the starter fluid in short bursts at each side of the base of carb, and wait between shots. Follow this procedure around each port. If idle doesn't change, no leak and proceed with fuel delivery troubleshooting.

I've had to deal with plugged accelorator jets too; like Vernski said, fuel starvation for 1 reason or another.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Rodger all that.
(This procedure A.K.A.: Free Basing the Top End)

I am also a firm believer in WD's advice to "wait between shots"....

Re: Help for a new guy
 

The truck is rough, but hopefully a good one some day! I've replaced everything from the gas tank down to the carb, which I rebuilt (perhaps badly). So, there's no clogged filters and the pump is new. I've only run ethanol-free gas through it so far. Based in the condition of the carb (was really crusty and pitted on the inside), I'm hoping Santa Claus (or a thanksgiving turkey) will get me a rebuilt one. Just trying to eliminate other problems, such as something with the distributor.:headscratch:

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Yea, I'm wondering if I didn't get all the gunk out of the carb with the rebuild.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

That's a great idea, I'll try it this weekend. I was wondering about a vacuum leak or something similar. The only thing that makes me wonder is that the truck had the same problem when I got it; but I chalked it up to the fuel system being so fouled. Or I replaced the gasket on the accelerator pump, but remember thinking that the well it sat in looked really pitted. I found it hard to believe that it would work well (an earlier poster wondered about something similar).

Re: Help for a new guy
 

I've been scratching my head trying to figure out, between web advice and books, what timing mark it should be set at. After reading your post, I think I forgot to plug the vacuum advance...back to the drawing board again.!

Re: Help for a new guy
 

If you didnt soak it overnight in carb cleaner you didnt get all the gunk out.

I'd pull it off an redo it. Soak everything! its the best 15.00 you'll ever spend.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

OK, thanks! I just installed it wrong.

Re: Help for a new guy
 

You're welcome---DAC

Re: Help for a new guy
 

I rebuilt the carb again with a kit from Mike's carburetor parts, who have some nice youtube videos showing how to do it. I soaked it overnight in a bucket of cleaner first. Today I was able to drive it 50 MPH without the choke pulled out. Won't be winning drag races anytime soon, but runs much better. Thanks for all the help folks!

Re: Help for a new guy
 

Vern, what makes you think your truck does not have a stock 250 inline 6. 66 was the first year that the 1000 had a inline 6 available, it could come with a 230 or a 250 or a 292.......????Kieth :woo:

Re: Help for a new guy
 

The guy I bought it from didn't know much about the engine, but did say it wasn't original. Based on the casting number, it's a 235 or 250 chevy /oldsmobile between '67 and 71. Looking at the number behind the distributor, I think it's a 250... but will get a better look at the pistons when I take the head off.