Truck won't stay running! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

woodman13 · 08-14-2005, 09:03 PM

I am trying to get my new 1969 project truck running. It will run for a short time when cranked up then dies. It is a 350 with 11.0-1 pistons, has a holley 750 DP, a g team intake, a MSD billit standard dist, headers, solid cam that sounds big, dart heads, roller tip rockers, 6AL MSD box, mechanical holley fuel pump, fuel cell in the bed, 2800 stall, T350 trans. I put new plugs in it, made sure it was getting fuel(it has a clear filter by the carb). It did backfire thru the carb when I tryed to start it then it started and ran and died. There is no timing tab on the engine, so I don't know about the timing or how it is set up. But with it starting and running for 10 seconds so I think the timing is close enough to run. Any ideas of something I should check would be great.

jhow66 · 08-14-2005, 09:30 PM

1st thing to try is advance your timing by turning the dist. counter clockwise a little at a time. If you do have a "big" cam you will need as much intial timing as your starter will take.

Brainchild · 08-14-2005, 09:38 PM

Backfiring is not a good thing with a Holley,I'd say it blew the powervalve.

Frizzle Fry · 08-14-2005, 09:57 PM

If it puked back through the carb you may have blown off a cap or line from any of the ports on the carb or manifold. Check for vacuum leaks. Good luck.

woodman13 · 08-14-2005, 10:01 PM

Yeah was going to replace the power valve when I get home from work. I will try to turn the dist. counter clock wise and see if that helps. I only have 2 vacume hoses, I will check them also.

Thanks guys, that gives me something to do tomarrow lol.

woodman13 · 08-16-2005, 05:23 AM

I checked the carb/vacume hoses(there is only 1 on the carb and 1 on the intake) carb bolts were a little loose and vacume hoses were tight and good. Got a kit to rfreshen up the holley, but had to play ball with my little girl so will try to finish it up Tuesday afternoon.

GMC AMI · 08-16-2005, 05:44 PM

Put the timing tab on and time it correctly with a timing light for best results! Then have the time of your life after the truck stays running all the time!

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 07:40 AM

ok so I put a timing tab on, turned the dist till the truck started, I put a kit in the holley(few questions about that). It still won't stay running.

Now 1 question is how do you set the idle screws (4) on the holley for initial startup and run.
The truck starts up, but then after 5-8 seconds dies, if I rev it up it will stay runnning, but the second I take my foot off the throttle it dies out.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 07:46 AM

I think maybe the MSD Pro billet dist might have issues(cap, rotor, the pick up thing,) Cam and crank timing could be off,(timing chain could have stretched).

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 09:41 AM

So....I tryed to start it this morning and the freeze plug on the DS about 3/4s back on the side started leaking?!? WTH! Is this a related problem or something different? Guess I'll pull the header off again and replace another freeze plug.

jhow66 · 08-21-2005, 11:34 AM

Use your idle screw to set up the curb idle speed.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 11:36 AM

what would be the initial setting for curb idle? This is the 4 screws that are on the meter blocks right?

jhow66 · 08-21-2005, 11:44 AM

No. The curb idle screw (the rpm that engines turns without foot on gas) is on the throttle linkage side of carb. This screw controls how far the throttle is open when you take your foot off gas pedal. How many rpm does it take to keep engine running? The 4 screws you mentioned are the idle air-fuel mixture screws(controls the amt of air and fuel entering the engine at idle.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 11:49 AM

yeah already set idle screw to 2000 rpm at start up, then it dies after 5-8 seconds.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 11:57 AM

started with 750 rpms and went all the way to 2000 in 200 rpm increments

jhow66 · 08-21-2005, 12:07 PM

Check your float level--if you have to run it that fast the fuel level must be way low.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 12:21 PM

Yeah I'll chech that next.

woodman13 · 08-21-2005, 04:06 PM

well I fell stupid now.....I was real frustrated and I was looking at the carb then I thought "Heh what about this choke think(manual choke)" I set the manual choke to part open, about 1/4" from being closed. It fired right up and stayed running. I guess it has to have the choke part closed to operate till it warms up. DUUUUUU!

Off the the parts store to get a choke cable for the carb!!!!!!!

Havox · 08-21-2005, 04:45 PM

I think you can buy an electric choke kit, my choke is vaccum

but they should have a kit, which will make it more hidden with only a button I guess

70 shorty · 08-21-2005, 09:10 PM

sounds like you need to hook up with Striker 169, his wont' turn off, maybe ya'll can meet in the middle on your trucks!

woodman13 · 08-27-2005, 08:16 AM

well, it is running great now...all hooked up and ready to go to the strip.

08-14-2005, 09:03 PM	#1
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	Truck won't stay running! I am trying to get my new 1969 project truck running. It will run for a short time when cranked up then dies. It is a 350 with 11.0-1 pistons, has a holley 750 DP, a g team intake, a MSD billit standard dist, headers, solid cam that sounds big, dart heads, roller tip rockers, 6AL MSD box, mechanical holley fuel pump, fuel cell in the bed, 2800 stall, T350 trans. I put new plugs in it, made sure it was getting fuel(it has a clear filter by the carb). It did backfire thru the carb when I tryed to start it then it started and ran and died. There is no timing tab on the engine, so I don't know about the timing or how it is set up. But with it starting and running for 10 seconds so I think the timing is close enough to run. Any ideas of something I should check would be great. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-14-2005, 09:30 PM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	1st thing to try is advance your timing by turning the dist. counter clockwise a little at a time. If you do have a "big" cam you will need as much intial timing as your starter will take. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

08-14-2005, 09:38 PM	#3
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Backfiring is not a good thing with a Holley,I'd say it blew the powervalve. __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

08-14-2005, 10:01 PM	#5
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	Yeah was going to replace the power valve when I get home from work. I will try to turn the dist. counter clock wise and see if that helps. I only have 2 vacume hoses, I will check them also. Thanks guys, that gives me something to do tomarrow lol. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-16-2005, 05:23 AM	#6
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	I checked the carb/vacume hoses(there is only 1 on the carb and 1 on the intake) carb bolts were a little loose and vacume hoses were tight and good. Got a kit to rfreshen up the holley, but had to play ball with my little girl so will try to finish it up Tuesday afternoon. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-14-2005, 09:57 PM	#4
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	If it puked back through the carb you may have blown off a cap or line from any of the ports on the carb or manifold. Check for vacuum leaks. Good luck.

08-16-2005, 05:44 PM	#7
GMC AMI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Other Maine! Posts: 2,236	Put the timing tab on and time it correctly with a timing light for best results! Then have the time of your life after the truck stays running all the time! __________________ 1968 Chevy 4x4 307 4 speed

08-21-2005, 07:40 AM	#8
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	ok so I put a timing tab on, turned the dist till the truck started, I put a kit in the holley(few questions about that). It still won't stay running. Now 1 question is how do you set the idle screws (4) on the holley for initial startup and run. The truck starts up, but then after 5-8 seconds dies, if I rev it up it will stay runnning, but the second I take my foot off the throttle it dies out. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 07:46 AM	#9
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	I think maybe the MSD Pro billet dist might have issues(cap, rotor, the pick up thing,) Cam and crank timing could be off,(timing chain could have stretched). __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 09:41 AM	#10
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	So....I tryed to start it this morning and the freeze plug on the DS about 3/4s back on the side started leaking?!? WTH! Is this a related problem or something different? Guess I'll pull the header off again and replace another freeze plug. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 11:34 AM	#11
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Use your idle screw to set up the curb idle speed. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

08-21-2005, 11:36 AM	#12
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	what would be the initial setting for curb idle? This is the 4 screws that are on the meter blocks right? __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 11:44 AM	#13
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	No. The curb idle screw (the rpm that engines turns without foot on gas) is on the throttle linkage side of carb. This screw controls how far the throttle is open when you take your foot off gas pedal. How many rpm does it take to keep engine running? The 4 screws you mentioned are the idle air-fuel mixture screws(controls the amt of air and fuel entering the engine at idle. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

08-21-2005, 11:49 AM	#14
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	yeah already set idle screw to 2000 rpm at start up, then it dies after 5-8 seconds. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 11:57 AM	#15
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	started with 750 rpms and went all the way to 2000 in 200 rpm increments __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver



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08-21-2005, 12:07 PM	#16
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Check your float level--if you have to run it that fast the fuel level must be way low. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

08-21-2005, 12:21 PM	#17
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	Yeah I'll chech that next. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 04:06 PM	#18
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	well I fell stupid now.....I was real frustrated and I was looking at the carb then I thought "Heh what about this choke think(manual choke)" I set the manual choke to part open, about 1/4" from being closed. It fired right up and stayed running. I guess it has to have the choke part closed to operate till it warms up. DUUUUUU! Off the the parts store to get a choke cable for the carb!!!!!!! __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

08-21-2005, 04:45 PM	#19
Havox Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 19	I think you can buy an electric choke kit, my choke is vaccum but they should have a kit, which will make it more hidden with only a button I guess __________________ My '68 GMC 2500

08-21-2005, 09:10 PM	#20
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	sounds like you need to hook up with Striker 169, his wont' turn off, maybe ya'll can meet in the middle on your trucks! __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

08-27-2005, 08:16 AM	#21
woodman13 woodman13 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Moody, Tx Posts: 261	well, it is running great now...all hooked up and ready to go to the strip. __________________ Woodman13 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9 rolling coal! 1994 Caprice 9C1 88K miles, LT-1, dropped/shaved 1967 C-30 350 4 sp dually 1971 C10 SWB BBC, auto; good driver

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