We cant seem to get the engine to idle. It will start with the help of an aerosol starting fluid, and runs smooth as long as your squirting, and with the throttle about 1/4 open, but when you remove the starting fluid, she continues to run, but really rough. 2nd carb, same result. compression is 120 all the way across, but #5 plug is chalk white...intake is part of the cylinder head, so it's NOT a blown intake gasket, as I've been told. Suspect vacuum leak SOMEWHERE...but we can't find it. Installing a brand new carb tomorrow, will post results of fix.....and ideas would be appreciated....
Like you, I suspect a vacuum leak. I'd try pinching all the hoses off one at a time, go through the starting process and cross your fingers that you find the one you need to run down. Other stuff??---fuel filter, weak fuel pump?
Make sure you have the right PCV valve installed! They all have different flow rates. If you have power brakes,disconnect the vacuum hose and plug it,and see if that makes a difference. As was said before,any vacuum leak on these engines will make it run rough and not idle! One other thing,if you have an EGR valve,make sure it is not stuck in the open position. Good luck! This shouldn't be too hard to track down.
Removed EGR valve, found 2 holes leading from intake, one of these holes looked like someone had placed a glob of molten metal in, completely blocked off, the other was open. We fabricated a "blocking" gasket to block this passage totally off. Found EGR base plate gasket in pieces, manufactured new gasket reinstalled everything an wah lah!! she idles MUCH better now, but still seems "nervous" at idle. It's idling at about 800 rpm, with the timing on the mark BEFORE the center mark (can't read degrees on scale). I drove the car around this morning, and she did well, but still seems to be a leak somewhere. Acquired new vacuum hoses and will replace all of them tomorrow. What will be the effect with the EGR valve totally blocked? Will this help or hinder? I can still spray carb cleaner around the base of the carb, and the rpm's increase, so there is still air getting in somewhere. Laughing ALOT at the sound of that little six cylinder going up a hill.....Original carb installed, original distributor, new points, wires, button and cap...we're getting close!!!
