Winter Issues - Looking for Help!

[Elsie72]

Since the weather has turned cold (below freezing) my truck has been running very poorly.

Does anyone change idle settings during winter to keep their engine running, or am I on the wrong track with this? Unfortunately, I only drive my truck about 4 minutes from my house to the bus, then it sits until I get home from work, when I fire it back up and drive it home. It takes me longer to get the truck warm enough to drive than it takes to get to where I'm going. In the summer, it runs perfectly, but since the weather has turned cold, it's a real bear to keep running. If I let it idle, it will die. When I come to stop lights, it will idle low enough that the lights dim, and will die if left idling for more than a minute or so. I'm pretty confident that the idle mixture is set correctly, and the timing is in the ballpark. I know that the main jet doesn't have anything to do with the idle, but I've always suspected that it is rich by 1 jet size due to my altitude. Are there any adjustments that may need to be changed when the mercury drops?

In addition, I'm thinking that if I could locate an air cleaner assembly with a heat riser that will fit on a Holley carb, that would assist in warming the engine up quicker. Any suggestions on that?

I appreciate any help on this.

Thanks in advance.

Chad

[ghetto_superman]

holley carb? theres your problem!

just joking- wish i could help...

[Werewolf]

Check your choke assembly. It sounds like the choke is opening sooner (or maybe not even closing) than it should be. You can also adjust cold idle speed in that vicinity. Check the choke first, though, when the truck is good and cold.

[mrein3]

Like Werewolf says, it sounds like you have choke issues. Make sure it is connected and operating properly.

For headlights, a lot of people are updating the trucks original headlight wires to use relays. The basic theory is you make your headlight switch control a relay instead of run 12 volts directly to the light from the switch. With factory wiring, after 20+ feet of 16 or so gauge wire, you only have 10.5 or so volts at the headlight. If you take that factory wire and have it turn on a relay, and have the business end of the relay getting current direct from the battery (through a fuse of course), you'll have 12.5 or so volts at the light all the time and they won't dim at low idle at the stop signs.

[Huck]

Choke issue with cold start, cold run.

[cdowns]

i hate winter!! i won't leave the house when it gets below 55degrees

[Elsie72]

Well, the choke works (It wouldn't start in this weather without it), but it's probably not staying on long enough. I'll adjust it up some more and see if that improves things.

does anyone know of a stock style air cleaner assembly with a heat riser that will fit on a Holley carb? I'm thinking if I can get some warmer air running through the carb that it will help fuel atomization.

[Greaser]

My Buddy Put A 90 Chevy Air Cleaner Assembly On, And Bought A Universal "stove" To Go Around His Headers. That Was Last Winter And It Worked Very Well. The Cool Thing About Those Air Cleaners (which He Got From Me) Is That The Theres A Valve That Automaticly Moves Open Or Closed Depending On Temp. You Might Have To Get A Carb Riser To Clear Your Linkages.

[wibilly]

4wd,s have aircleaner spacers that should allow most stock 4bbl aircleaners to clear your holley

[SB406]

In addition to the stuff mentioned above, run some isopropyl (dry gas) trhough on your next fill up. Water in the gas= bad news in winter.
My bet is that the choke is coming off too soon which will also affect your high idle coming off too soon. Heat riser should help.