Need help: running smooth Thurday/ wont start Friday

[jcskokos]

I have been driving this car(1967 Coronet 4 door/383 2bbl swap from 318) since last February; replaced coil, spark plugs, wires, alternator, and resistor almost as soon as I got the car. I have been keeping up with oil changes (20w-50 semi-synthetic w/ Lucas oil conditioner) every 3k miles. All last week the car was running good, nice and smooth, drove it home from work Thursday night, then when I went to start up Friday morning it wouldn't start normally, after a little tinkering it fired, but was misfiring something ridiculous. removed and checked plugs, cleaned them all due to having a little more build up than I would like to see, but still firing. After a little more tinkering, smacking my head on the hood latch, and some swearing, I found the carb was leaking fuel pretty bad and the main jets were still spraying a good amount of fuel after shutting off the engine(probably the reason for the plugs being so bad). take apart and clean jets and found some gunk stuck in the float needle making it flood out and over.

After cleaning it all out and putting it back together it will start perfectly every time, I got the idle to where it sounds good and adjusted it all to where the vibration is minimal to almost non-existant( I have no guages or timing light), will idle GREAT in neutral and park, but in a drive gear it drops just enough to feel like it will stall or rattle apart right then(it doesn't) and feels weak from a stop, good throttle response, and feels really nice over 5mph. I am at a loss right now on where to go for the idle problem. has new trans fluid and filter, fluid is still bright red and at a good level, no metal shavings that I can see.

Sorry for the wall of text, but I try to be as clear and thorough as possible.

 

[tpodwdog]

try this...:

run the car to temp
make sure the choke is all the way open when hot
back out the idle adjustment screws until you get the highest smooth idle ( do this evenly).
readjust curb idle to normal.

try that. i was having the same problem and that fixxed it right up.

 

[jcskokos]

I am going to assume 'idle adjustment screws' is the a/f screws, and 'curb idle adjustment' means the idle screw on the back?
If this is correct, how did you set the origin idle? did you use any special tool in order to measure the rpms(I dont have a tach installed).

 

[tpodwdog]

I am going to assume 'idle adjustment screws' is the a/f screws, and 'curb idle adjustment' means the idle screw on the back?
If this is correct, how did you set the origin idle? did you use any special tool in order to measure the rpms(I dont have a tach installed).

yes...air fuel mix screws...and yes ...curb idle ...thats the one that moves with the throttle..usually on the drivers side.

initial air fuel is...all the way in (tighten...DONT CRANK IT)...then out ( loosen) ...2 full turns...then go from there.

keep loosening the a/f screws evenly half turn at a time until it idles nice and smooth..(dont worry about it idling high....you want SMOOOOOOOOTH )...this is going to RAISE THE RPM....then final adjust with curb idle to around 700 rpm...or whatever the book says. if ya dont have a tach.....just drop it in drive until it engages comfortably and does not SLAM into gear.

ya dont need vacuum gauges or part #34084756-08345-834.98 or dilithium crystals or a fluxx capacitor..JUST YOUR EAR. altho, it is a good idea to make sure dwell and timing are correct before you do this.

then get back on here and say...TPOD YOURE A GENIUS .....lol!

 

[jcskokos]

TPOD, You're a f@cking genius! It is amazing how smooth it feels now, and it slides into gear so smooth I am shocked. Although seeing the engine with the hood open now makes me realize I need motor mounts, lol, she moves about 3"-4" going from neutral to reverse or drive.

 

[tpodwdog]

glad to help.....see there ...ya did it without all the fancy gadgets...amazing how things are done so simply....aint it ?