C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Carb Car only Stalls/Dies when Cornering?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 18, 2012 | 03:50 PM
  #1  
Factor's Avatar
Factor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Default Carb Car only Stalls/Dies when Cornering?

Hi guys,

I have a carb setup, rochester q jet, bought car last summer. Has 348 in it...weird I know. Was fine last summer and just this week it will stall, sputtered like it is being starved and dye out ONLY when I corner hard. The harder I corner the faster it will dye out...the lighter/slower, the less.

Just started yesterday...I tried carb cleaner today...no luck.

Thanks,
R
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:10 PM
  #2  
drwet's Avatar
drwet
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
Default

Most likely fuel starvation. I would start by looking at the float level. I suspect there's not enough fuel in the bowl and when the fuel sloshes around its uncovering the jets and you're sucking air. I'm not a Q-jet expert so I can't tell you exactly what's happening in there, but I think that's the most likely scenario.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:49 PM
  #3  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by drwet
Most likely fuel starvation. I would start by looking at the float level. I suspect there's not enough fuel in the bowl and when the fuel sloshes around its uncovering the jets and you're sucking air. I'm not a Q-jet expert so I can't tell you exactly what's happening in there, but I think that's the most likely scenario.
Agreed... it could alsobe the opposite, fuel too high and you're splashing.

Start by checking the float and float level. If the carb hasn't been rebuilt in a while, the float could easily be worn out too...
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2012 | 11:51 PM
  #4  
1986coupe's Avatar
1986coupe
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 1
From: Niagara Falls ON
Default

Check your fuel pressure. At least you don't have to take the carb apart to see if that is a factor.

If that is ok then I would definitely say that the float is not set right or has partially flooded, affecting the fuel level in the bowl. If you have to take it apart then you might as well get a carb kit and a float. Clean it up then put it back together with new parts.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 01:15 PM
  #5  
Easy Mike's Avatar
Easy Mike
Team Owner
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by drwet
...I would start by looking at the float level...
Float. Probably time to rebuild the Q-Jet.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 01:26 PM
  #6  
1972warship's Avatar
1972warship
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
From: Southaven MS
Default

Originally Posted by Shark Racer
Agreed... it could alsobe the opposite, fuel too high and you're splashing.

Start by checking the float and float level. If the carb hasn't been rebuilt in a while, the float could easily be worn out too...


I have had the problem with the floats set too high.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 04:07 PM
  #7  
Factor's Avatar
Factor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Default

Fuel pressure fine. I will look into the carb setup.

My uncle said to check for loose wires and hoses. will do and let you know.

thanks,
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2012 | 04:15 PM
  #8  
bobs77vet's Avatar
bobs77vet
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Default

besure to check your in line fuel filter. perhaps its blocking flow
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 12:04 PM
  #9  
Factor's Avatar
Factor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Default

if it were blocking flow...wouldnt it happen in full throttle acceleration and not just cornering?.....
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2012 | 02:38 PM
  #10  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by Factor
if it were blocking flow...wouldnt it happen in full throttle acceleration and not just cornering?.....
Pressure issues are more likely going to cause WOT acceleration issues, and float level issues are more likely to cause cornering issues. (although a low float level will also cause the car to starve during WOT as it won't pick up enough.)

Honestly, if you do this right, you'll end up putting in a new filter AND a new float, so it'll be hard to tell which one was the source of the original problem.

Last edited by Shark Racer; Mar 21, 2012 at 11:22 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 03:21 AM
  #11  
offrapel's Avatar
offrapel
6th Gear
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

I had the same issue with my car. In a sharp turn, occasionally the engine would die. I opened the hood and checked the carb, it was flooded out.

Ultimately, it turned out to be the float level was set to 0.25" which is way too high for my Q-jet. Adjusted it down to 0.420" (see Lars Q-jet Tuning Paper for year specific levels) and the problem never came back.

Moving the float level this much did require checking the air/fuel at all speeds. But maybe replacing your float and setting it to service manual height, with a new seat and filter will fix your problem.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:40 AM
  #12  
gcusmano74's Avatar
gcusmano74
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Default

I have the same problem with my Q jet. Just started recently. The air/fuel ratio gauge showed the mixture getting richer the harder and faster that I cornered. I rebuilt the carb, and lowered the float level to 3/8", thinking the fuel was sloshing over. It has somewhat improved, but it still isn't right.
Maybe I should lower it some more?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 11:09 AM
  #13  
7T1vette's Avatar
7T1vette
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Default

Most Q-jets have a phenolic (fuel-capable plastic) insert that fits in the upper portion of the fuel bowl. This minimizes fuel 'slosh' or 'spill' and prevents fuel starvation when turning. If you don't have one, you need to find one for your carb.

Otherwise, the float is either set too high or too low.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 11:33 AM
  #14  
xkeots's Avatar
xkeots
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
Default

Floats!
Years back when I used to repair Ferrari's the 308 GTB had the same problem. If you made a sharp turn, the car would stall, due to the weber floats.
Ferrari then made the 308GTSi which was injected and the problem went away.
Open the carb, re-adjust your floats to the manual, check your fuel pressure and make sure there is fuel in the tank.
Trouble should be gone
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 12:10 PM
  #15  
69 Chevy's Avatar
69 Chevy
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Default

Originally Posted by Factor
Has 348 in it...weird I know.
Would that be a de-stroked 350 or the W motor?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2012 | 10:16 PM
  #16  
bobs77vet's Avatar
bobs77vet
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Default

Originally Posted by Factor
if it were blocking flow...wouldnt it happen in full throttle acceleration and not just cornering?.....


well who actually knows but for arguments sake assume that there is just enough flow to allow WOT....and no more....now take this minimal amount and push it to the the outside of carb because of going around a turn. some times its hard to know which is the problem just as shark racer says. i had an austin healey 3000 and my buddy had one also and his would always stall out....we went through everything and finally determined it was a rusted out fuel line that had something in it that would block flow...that took a lot of effort to figure that one out
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 09:30 AM
  #17  
Factor's Avatar
Factor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Default

Thanks guys for the info!

69 chevy- it is the W motor...odd combo, will look to sell, just dont know what to put in...

bobs77vet...weird...murphy's law on that one!

Well, I checked everything and took it for a ride...NO issues... I think the carb is tired and needs a rebuild...the oil has started turning a little quick...since I just changed it last week. Also, it seems a little more rich out the pipes...
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 06:07 PM
  #18  
Factor's Avatar
Factor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Default

very nice today...took car out...smelled a little more richer...noticed some fuel on the intake manifold...looks like a CARB REBUILD!....AND it did act up from time to time....
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Carb Car only Stalls/Dies when Cornering?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:46 PM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE