I've got a 84 L69 (the 305). I've recently changed over to an Edelbrock carb and HEI disty. I can't get it to run longer than 10 or 15 secs before it dies. Even with input from the throttle. I'm fairly close on timing, (I think). I can't get it running long enough to check it. What's the best way to go about fixing this problem??

 

Thats a good question! Is it running to rich or what? What does it take to restart it? The carb has a certain port the vacuum advance line hooks to,you cant just plug it on there anywhere. That should not make it die but it will effect the timing. The vacuum line should be pinched shut to while setting the initial timing.

 

I can't tell if it's running rich or not. I don't think it is, as I've tried several different adjustments on the fuel mixture screws. And, I have the vacuum advance ports on the carb plugged for now, and the hose that connects off the canister open. So, I'm still trying to get it to idle long enough to time it.

 

I would try turning them to 6 turns out and see if it will run. If not run them in 2 turns. Keep this up till something happens. If nothing happens there is something wrong with the carb. Probably a clogged passage or something. Tell me about the carb.Where did you get it,whats been done,when did the problem start.

 

The problem started when I bought the car, lol. It had a Holley that was all screwed up, missing pieces. So, this carb is off Ebay, looks fairly new. However, I think you're right about it being clogged somewhere..

 

If it really started life as an L69, it should have an in-tank electric fuel pump. Although 10-15 seconds doesn't sound quite long enough, if the in-tank isn't working or isn't staying on after cranking, you could be running out of fuel.

 

Five7kid brings up a good point. If the car was originally FI you will need a fuel pressure regulator cause even 15 psi will push fuel right past the needle valve. If it was a carbed car forget this paragraph.

Two things you can do to cheat cleaning your carb. One is to get it started and get someone to open the throttle about 3/4 open and when the rpm's are getting high cover the inlet of the carb very quickly and then let it open back up. Dont use your hands cause it will pull some serious vacuum. If you kill the motor just hold it wide open and crank it over cause it will be flooded. What this does is when the air is cut off at the venturies all that vacuum will pull fuel thru every little hole in the carb and hopefully clean it out. This sometimes works great on motorcycles where you can slap your hand over it.

The other thing you can try is take the mixture screws out and spray contact or carb cleaner thru there followed by some good air pressure. Again,the car may be flooded so you will have to hold it wide open to restart it.

 

There was no factory FI in '84.

L69's got both the in-tank electric and engine-mounted mechanical.

 

Yes, I looked at replacing both. But, as a method of trying to get the car up and running I just installed an external pump in the engine bay. I know the electric pump in tank does not work. The mechanical is new. So..today I bought a fuel pressure gauge to check the pressure. Should be about 5 or 6psi, right??

 

No FI in 84 huh? I learned something,thanks.

6psi max especially at idle.