ok i have a 87 formula that was stock with 305 4bbl. and an automatic. i pulled them and put in a older 350 with fuelies and a 4 speed manual. i have heard that these 87's came with an in-tank fuel pump. but i dont think i have it. im running a mechanical with the correct return line.i have no computer hooked up either. whole passenger side harness is in my fender.
now my problem.
when i wake up to go to work i give the car a quarter pump and she starts...and its fine. but when its warmed up and i shut it off to run in the store, she wont start for about 1 minute of constant cranking of the starter. so i looked at my cheap glass fuel filter by the carb and when its warm and i shut it off, the filter get drained empty within 30 seconds???? but if it sits over night the fuel comes back into the filter?? is it evaporating???

 

I can't speak to the reason why your fuel filter empties out during short shut downs and why it fills back up overnight.

However, from the symptoms you describe regarding long crank times after a short shut down, it sounds like the main metering well plugs are leaking (I'm assuming you have a Rochester 4bbl carb), esentially flooding the engine while it sits.

Next time, try holding the throttle all the way open when cranking. This should clear the flood.

There used to be a kit available where you knock out the leaky plugs and replace them with some nice o-ringed aluminum ones. IIRC, you can get to the main metering well plugs after you remove the throttle plate from the carb.

 

its a edelbrock 600 model 1406. i will try that but it feels like there is all vapor and no gas. when it finally does start it just barely grabs a rev and then it will finally catch idle.n also i never hear a hiss when i open my gas cap. and ive tried 3 different caps?

 

I've been here done that and so have some other guys on here running thsoe cheap "Spectra" glass fuel filters. Get rid of it!!!

I dont know why they all bleed back, they just do. For a cheap fix get the Fram fuel filter in the steel canister and your problems will be solved. I promise!

Edit, you should'nt her it hiss when you remove the gas cap. That is because your vent cap is working properly.

 

Those carbs heat soak bad, you need to run a heat shield to keep the fuel from boiling out of them...

 

Is this Edelbrock carb a copy of the Carter AFB or a Rochester Quadrajet?

Before attempting to start it after a short shut down, pull the air cleaner lid and look down the carb. Open the throttle with your hand and see of you the accelerator pump squirts fuel. This will tell you if the carb bowl is empty or not.