gotgame

Having some difficulty figuring this out. First some of the important info:
1980
350 HO crate
edelbrock performer eps intake
edelbrock 1406 carb
HEI distributor
Dougs headers and side pipes
STS baffles ( caps on center pipes)
Timing 34 degrees all in by 2800 RPMs
3.54 rear end ratio
Fuel pressure regulator set at 5psi

Ok so car just didnt have the pickup I wanted or I knew it was capable of. After making quite a few adjustments, with small improvements I installed an autometer air/fuel ratio gauge in my left collector about two months ago. Right now its running 14-15.5 at idle, 14.5 at 2000 RPM cruise, drops to 12.5 on moderate throtttle and 11-11.5 on WOT.

When i first installed it it was 9.5-10 at WOT. By changing the timing to 34 (from 28), installing the fuel pressure regulator ( was 8psi not good for edelbrock), going from dougs reverse flow mufflers to STS baffles, changed hole on accelerator pump for smaller shot.. its now up to 11-11.5 at WOT.

Edelbrock 1406 is supposed to be lean-ish compared to say 1405. I mean I could just not care as I rarely go to WOT and the care runs great all around..and i hate chasing a number like this..but its certainly annoying me. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

F22

14.5 at moderate cruise sounds too lean too me. I know that's the 'perfect stochiometric ratio' or something like that, but these older carb'd cars like 12.5 - 13.0 at cruise. Same for the idle, that's too lean for my modified motor and if you're stabbing the gas, it may not be to lean and not setting up the fuel condition the engine will need as the throttle blades open up. The WOT numbers sound about what mine runs. If you have an automatic, you should check when the vacuum secondaries open up too. Also, I'd recommend getting a Holley jet kit and play around with the jets. Pay attention to how it starts up. Does it start up instantly? Does it idle smoothly within a short period of time? Is the A/F ratio jumping all over the place? These are pretty good clues to start with.

OMF

Have you followed the guidance in this?

https://www.edelbrock.com/pub/media/...ers-manual.pdf

resdoggie

I think your afr's are just fine. Idle is fine as long as the idle is steady. Cruise is fine also if it's not showing any signs of leaning out. Mine did so I increased my primary jets from 67's to 70's and attained a 13.8 cruise afr on my Holley 750 dp. WOT is a bit low but a safe range. If its running fine leave well enough alone imo.

gkull

Just look through the rod catalog and find the rods with the same larger cruise diameter and slightly larger small step diameter

It will lean out. WOT give you more power and keep your plugs clean

Idle a/f ratio can be changed with the idle screws