Car won't run right.
04-07-2013, 08:48 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Car won't run right.
I have a 63 convertable with a 69 350 under the hood. I took it out for bout an hour last Sunday and it ran fine. The car always runs great. Went to go for a ride today and it was like a different car. A little hard to start , ran very rough, lots of black smoke and it wouldn't idle.I was shocked , it was perfect when I shut it off last week.
I pulled a spark plug and it didn't look good. I replaced all plugs. It started better, but still didn't run right. It's getting lots of fuel(holly 650),but it doesn't seem to be getting enough spark. I pulled a plug and held it against the manifold while my son cranked it. The was spark, but it seemed weak and intermitant. Now ,it cranks real fast , but doesn't want to start. If I hold the peddle to the floor, it will start, but still runs rough and won't idle.
I'm lost, What could it be? Could the petronix have cooked? Is it possible that the timing jumped?
I've had the car for about 8 years and never experience anything like this.
I pulled a spark plug and it didn't look good. I replaced all plugs. It started better, but still didn't run right. It's getting lots of fuel(holly 650),but it doesn't seem to be getting enough spark. I pulled a plug and held it against the manifold while my son cranked it. The was spark, but it seemed weak and intermitant. Now ,it cranks real fast , but doesn't want to start. If I hold the peddle to the floor, it will start, but still runs rough and won't idle.
I'm lost, What could it be? Could the petronix have cooked? Is it possible that the timing jumped?
I've had the car for about 8 years and never experience anything like this.
04-07-2013, 10:03 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The carb does drip a small amount for a minute or two. Don't know how hard it is to switch back. Not sure that I'd want to. think I'd rather replace the current set up. Just can't figure it out. What can go wrong while the car is just sitting there?
04-07-2013, 10:51 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It's like the car was possessed. Very frusrating.Today was the first nice day that we've had.I was really looking forward to cruising with the top down. Coincidently, there was another problem. Probably unrelated. I have a cd player mounted in the glove box. It worked perfect last week.Didn't seem to be getting power today. Checked all connections and fuses.Everything looked OK. I wasn't upset. I was counting on the sidepipes to provide the music.
04-07-2013, 11:27 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Flooding carb leaky needle valve. Most hollys have level plugs to check float level. Turn motor off and remove level plug if fuel comes out float set to high our leaking needle valve.
04-08-2013, 07:39 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks, I'll try to check that tonight. I'm hoping that I can find a local mechanic willing to make a housecall. Don't want to try to drive it to a repair shop and the thought of having it towed scares me.
04-08-2013, 07:50 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Bill
04-08-2013, 07:54 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
04-08-2013, 08:59 AM
#16
Melting Slicks
I'm thinking the same as 6T7L71CPE. I hate these old Holley Carbs for the problems they are inherent to. The issue should not have occurred overnight. That said, what else could it be? Did you gas up the car? Try tapping on the fuel bowls to loosen a stuck float. If the car starts run up the RPM's a little to clear the plugs of excess fuel. How old is the Timing Chain? It could be electrical but I'm thinking Holley related. Al W. Please let us know the cure!
04-08-2013, 09:12 AM
#17
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Make sure you're heat riser valve isn't stuck in the closed position on the passenger side. 
04-08-2013, 09:16 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
The carb. is about 5 years old. Never had any issues. I always add some type of additive to the fuel, usually Lucas. I'll check for leaks tonight. All vaccum hoses are 6 to 7 years old. I might have found someone to come to the house. I've used him before. He is good with carb and ignition issues. His speciality is old Fords/Mercs. The principles are the same. His bill is determined by how much beer I give him.
04-08-2013, 09:48 AM
#19
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You will find your problem is a pissing carb. Being very careful, get a helper to get it running, get your face over the carb (with safety glasses on & fire extinguisher handy) and try to keep it running while looking down the carb throat. If you see fuel dripping from anywhere, there is your problem.
Dan
04-08-2013, 01:42 PM
#20
Le Mans Master
It's like the car was possessed. Very frusrating.Today was the first nice day that we've had.I was really looking forward to cruising with the top down. Coincidently, there was another problem. Probably unrelated. I have a cd player mounted in the glove box. It worked perfect last week.Didn't seem to be getting power today. Checked all connections and fuses.Everything looked OK. I wasn't upset. I was counting on the sidepipes to provide the music.
Went to go for a ride today and it was like a different car. A little hard to start , ran very rough, lots of black smoke and it wouldn't idle.I was shocked , it was perfect when I shut it off last week.
I pulled a spark plug and it didn't look good. I replaced all plugs. It started better, but still didn't run right. It's getting lots of fuel(holly 650),but it doesn't seem to be getting enough spark. I pulled a plug and held it against the manifold while my son cranked it. The was spark, but it seemed weak and intermitant. Now ,it cranks real fast , but doesn't want to start. If I hold the peddle to the floor, it will start, but still runs rough and won't idle.
I'm lost, What could it be? Could the petronix have cooked? Is it possible that the timing jumped?
Went to go for a ride today and it was like a different car. A little hard to start , ran very rough, lots of black smoke and it wouldn't idle.I was shocked , it was perfect when I shut it off last week.
I pulled a spark plug and it didn't look good. I replaced all plugs. It started better, but still didn't run right. It's getting lots of fuel(holly 650),but it doesn't seem to be getting enough spark. I pulled a plug and held it against the manifold while my son cranked it. The was spark, but it seemed weak and intermitant. Now ,it cranks real fast , but doesn't want to start. If I hold the peddle to the floor, it will start, but still runs rough and won't idle.
I'm lost, What could it be? Could the petronix have cooked? Is it possible that the timing jumped?
Bad battery or corrosion causing a weak spark maybe?