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Running lean at WOT

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Old Apr 6, 2020 | 08:26 PM
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Default Running lean at WOT

Hey guys, so I've got an AFR gauge and I've been seeing that my ratio drops as low as 17:1 under full throttle. I'm really not sure why this is happening, I don't seem to have any issues holding 6.5 psi fuel pressure and have a pump with plenty of gph.

So I have this carburetor (It's a Quick-Fuel style 650 vac secondary). I have 67 Primary jets (little rich at cruise so probably should be 65), 76 secondary, a 5.5 PV. According to the spec sheet that came with the carb it has a 33 pump nozzle, 31 high speed air bleed primary and 31 secondary, 63 idle air bleed primary and 63 secondary, a 46 primary power valve restriction (and a plate.. thing in the secondary side), and a 97 needle seat on both primary and secondary.

Engine is a mild/performance 350. This engine build from Hotrod is very similar to mine but I have better heads, according to them it should be capable of 440hp/440ftlbs at the crank.

So.. any idea what's wrong with my tuning? I feel like my secondary jets are large enough to not cause a lean condition, but I'm not really too sure.

Edit: The lean condition gets worse as my engine warms up. Cold WOT gets 15:1. Warm WOT gets 17:1.

Last edited by Shdggsdv; Apr 15, 2020 at 04:11 PM.
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Old Apr 6, 2020 | 08:34 PM
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Vacuum Secondary. Does it have springs like a Holley 4150?
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Old Apr 6, 2020 | 08:54 PM
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Why 5.5 PV, a mild build try 6.5 PV or even 8.5
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Old Apr 6, 2020 | 09:44 PM
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Try a different air filter....
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Old Apr 6, 2020 | 11:58 PM
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Ck fuel pressure at WOT. Bowls could be running dry or low. CK fuel level in carb.

JIM
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Old Apr 7, 2020 | 07:03 AM
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and back off the gas until you get it sorted out. not enough fuel? engine will burn aluminum instead.
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Old Apr 7, 2020 | 08:35 AM
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Are you sure you're getting the secondairies to fully open with the pedal?
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by KenSny
Vacuum Secondary. Does it have springs like a Holley 4150?
Nah it's an adjustable just like this one, but if my secondary isn't opening enough would that really cause a lean condition? If I understand correctly the secondary adjustment effects both fuel and air on the secondaries, no?
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 427Hotrod
Ck fuel pressure at WOT. Bowls could be running dry or low. CK fuel level in carb.

JIM
Will definitely check this out, gotta figure out how to see my fuel pressure from the cabin though

Also! I found out my lean condition at WOT is more significant when the engine is warm vs cold.

Cold: WOT gets 15:1
Warm: WOT gets 17:1

And this only applies to WOT, my part throttle and cruise are totally fine

Last edited by Shdggsdv; Apr 15, 2020 at 02:34 PM.
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Old Apr 15, 2020 | 02:43 PM
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try either leaving the gas cap off or loose to see if that effects the lean at WOT problem, we have seen quite a few lean at heavy throttle condition problems that were caused by a fuel tank venting problem. Henry @ olescarb
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Old Apr 17, 2020 | 08:36 AM
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Put bigger secondary jets in it ..
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Old Apr 17, 2020 | 11:22 AM
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Whats your fuel pressure, when my carter was failing it would do this. It would pump enough fuel to run and keep up under normal low power driving, but was only putting out about 3 psi. Not enough for W.O.T
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by olescarb
try either leaving the gas cap off or loose to see if that effects the lean at WOT problem, we have seen quite a few lean at heavy throttle condition problems that were caused by a fuel tank venting problem. Henry @ olescarb
So that didn't have any effect unfortunately. Also, don't know my fuel pressure at WOT (it's at 6.5 steady in the driveway at all throttle positions), don't really have a way to check it while driving.

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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by diehrd
Put bigger secondary jets in it ..
I just put 80s in and had no change. I feel like anything past 80 must be way too much for a mild/performance 350 though wouldn't it be?

Last edited by Shdggsdv; Apr 21, 2020 at 08:42 PM.
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 11:16 PM
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Remove the secondary jets and see if it goes pig-rich at WOT. If it's still lean at WOT, the carb has a secondary fuel feed problem - maybe a passage or two not drilled in the metering block or the carb body.

Lars
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Old Apr 21, 2020 | 11:34 PM
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You could try blocking the secondary's closed and just go WOT on primaries to see if it does better. If you can get a longer line for fuel pressure gauge you can route out from under hood and use wiper blade to hold it for a quick blast. Some tape will hold it steady.

JIM
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Old Apr 22, 2020 | 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by 427Hotrod
You could try blocking the secondary's closed and just go WOT on primaries to see if it does better. If you can get a longer line for fuel pressure gauge you can route out from under hood and use wiper blade to hold it for a quick blast. Some tape will hold it steady.

JIM
It aint fixed til you put duct tape on it!!! Haha I carry a roll just as a threat not to break down

Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Apr 22, 2020 at 05:27 AM.
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To Running lean at WOT

Old Apr 26, 2020 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 427Hotrod
You could try blocking the secondary's closed and just go WOT on primaries to see if it does better. If you can get a longer line for fuel pressure gauge you can route out from under hood and use wiper blade to hold it for a quick blast. Some tape will hold it steady.

JIM
Haven't tried Lars suggestion or this one for blocking the secondaries. But I tested my fuel pressure! It seems like my fuel pressure is pretty stable at WOT, so next thing I'll try is removing the secondary jets.
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 12:14 AM
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You've verified the float levels are high enough right?

JIM
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Old Apr 27, 2020 | 12:50 AM
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And you are sure that pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor (NOT working the carb linkage by hand) actuates the secondary vacuum system AND the vacuum signal will pull them completely open?
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