Engine died while driving

[Darth Ooten]

I need some diagnostic help. I was out for a drive today made several stops car was operating great. On the way home opened it up a little ran it up to about 5500rpm in 2nd shifted to 3rd back to 5500rpm and let off. The car started sputtering and quit. Checked under hood everything is still connected. Nothing obviously wrong. Held the gas on the floor cranked it a couple times and it started but won't stay running. Managed to keep the rpms up and limp 2 blocks home. The engine smoothed out slightly over 3k but still rough and the second my foot comes off the accelerator it quits. Windows in carb bowls shows the right fuel level. In line fuel pressure gauge shows pressure while cranking.

440 750 brawler carb vacuum secondary
Msd distributor and 6al box
Holley mechanical fuel pump

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[pnora]

Might have crap fuel or water in the fuel.

 

[Don Frelier]

Or debris/rust in the carb?
It sounds like a low speed carb circuit problem.
Smoothing out at higher rpm is a good sign that likely you're good mechanically.

 

[Darth Ooten]

Or debris/rust in the carb?
It sounds like a low speed carb circuit problem.
Smoothing out at higher rpm is a good sign that likely you're good mechanically.

Brand new carb, fuel in the filter appears clean. I'm at a loss, it's just bizarre.

 

[pnora]

Brand new carb, fuel in the filter appears clean. I'm at a loss, it's just bizarre.

Pump about a 1/2 gallon into a clear container and see what it looks like.

 

[Don Frelier]

I've had a little fleck of rubber line get lodged in a jet before. It doesn't take much.

 

[Darth Ooten]

Thanks guys. The problem is definitely in the carb. I swapped it for a spare edelbrock I had sitting around. Primed it and it fired right up. Don't think it's going to run very well with a 500cfm carb haha but at least it was a quick verification of the issue. I appreciate the advice.

 

[Don Frelier]

My 383 was pretty potent with a 500 cfm at mid range.

 

[Griff]

My 383 was pretty potent with a 500 cfm at mid range.

Running that same edelbrock 500 on my 440, snappy little bugger, really like it.