*help* 1970 c10 with 383 stroker

[jasonguitarbell]

im just getting the hang of this but am needing help. I just recently purchased my dream truck. 1970 c10 lwb. has 383 stroker with edlebrock performer intake and edlebrock 750 carb. my problem is that when i go to start her up, she fires right away. no hesitation. Idles fine at about 500-650rpm, but when dropped into gear(automatic 400 turbo) idle goes low as if it wants to die. give a lil gas she revs up fine. i can drive lets say 5 blocks. truck dies and then stalls and wont turn over unless she sets for an hour or more. almost as if flooded but i dont smell gas. any guesses on the issue? ive adjusted the mixture and nothing. please help.

[hotrodhomi]

have you changed the fuel filter? Do you have fuel pressure?

[jasonguitarbell]

as far as i know, yes. but i have not replaced the filter yet. will be done as of tomorrow after noon. have you face teh same symptoms before?

[a.c.ward]

couple of questions first off:

1. mechanical or electric fuel pump?
2. HEI distributor?
3. Fuel filter clean?
4. headers or manifolds
5. stock behind the seat fuel tank or moved?

1 & 4 if mechanical fuel pump and headers, sounds like vapor lock. fuel boiling from heat in fuel pump. try wrapping a wet towel around the fuel pump, securely in place with zip ties or safety/mechanics wire, then test drive.

5 if that does not do the trick, check the fuel lines for close ness to exhaust system. if too close to exhaust, same symptoms above. move fuel lines around/away from heat source, test drive.

2 some stock HEI distributors get heat soaked. ensure that the module to distributor module to distributor body in clean and coated with heat dispersing grease, available at most box auto parts stores for less than $2.

3 & 5 if the stock tank is still in place, the truck is over 40 years old. there is a sock on the bottom of the fuel pick up line. the become very brittle and clog very easy. if they disentrigrate, minute pieces can clog the fuel filter.

all of the above happened to me with a similar setup in my 69. 383, world products heads, lunati braket master 2, holeey street dominator, 850 carb, headers, etc.....

pretty much started with fuel symptoms first, fixed the fuel line, filter, sock, new fuel pump, newer headers. everything was good, but had a hard start issues when cold. discovered the HEI module was overheating by accident. old school mechanic friend and I were sitting around, shooting the breeze one after noon, bench racing, when I told about my issues, he suggested I try the module electronic grease. cured all of the starting and running issues from then on, till I decided to try out a big big block. still working on it...

good luck, keep us informed.

AC
still in Afghanistan

[jasonguitarbell]

I wish I had found this site earlier.
@acward
Mechanical pump
Manifold
Will replace filter and try shielding pump due to its proximity to engine. If no cure, will replace pump.

But question, wud vapor lock occur when first starting? Seems like it wud happen after running awhilem My truck fires up fine, idles fine at about 600rpm but loses power when dropped into gear. Will drive but is weak until she dies and then won't start for awhile.
Posted via Mobile Device

[hotrodhomi]

that doesn't sound like vapor lock to me. try a clear filter.

[a.c.ward]

with manifolds dont sound like vapor lock. sounds more like a clog in the fuel system. agree with getting a clear filter and verifying fuel flow. with the idle dropping when engaging drive, you should maybe look at increasing your idle rpm to 750-800, when in neutral, and 600-650 in gear.

keep us updated, there are many great guys on this site who are more than willing to share thoughts, ideas, and assist in troubleshooting.

the best site that I have come across, many good folk on here.

AC

still in Afghanistan

[DesertCat]

I agree that it isn't vapor lock, in fact it sounds like the choke isn't coming off. Or maybe a stuck float.

You mentioned adjusting the mixture... how did you do that?

Your idle speed IS too low.

Hope you put a clear fuel filter on as was suggested, that will give you a clue about fuel pressure/flow.

This smells like a fuel/carb problem to me

Good luck

[a.c.ward]

check out this webiste for the adjustment procedure on edelbrock carbs, pretty good information if you dont have the manual for the carb:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4559500_adju...arburetor.html

and here is the website for the edelbrock carb manual, just in case:

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...ers_manual.pdf

hope these help you out, I am a Holley carb guy myself, still learning the edelbrock stuff....

hope this helps

AC

still in Afghanistan

[phantom69]

yeah sounds like your idle is too low. i would say it also depends on how big your cam is. i have a stroker also and it has a comp 280 cam in it and i don't have a stall on my tranny so i have to increase my idle just to be able to drive it. i idle at around 1000 rpm and when in gear it's around 600. i would say drive your truck a little to warm it up and try increasing you're idle. make sure it's not so high that it's slamming into gear but high enough that it doesn't idle rough. good luck

[jasonguitarbell]

thanks to all. replaced filter with clear filter. runs good. and adjusted the idle. im so mad at myself for not changing the filter first. but glad it was only 2 bucs!!!!! free to do donuts now!!!!!!

[hotrodhomi]

I'm glad its going again, pictures of smoking donuts would be appreciated

[a.c.ward]

glad that we could help you here. I agree, we need some smokey tire pics and maybe a video of it, at a minimum need some pics of the truck and engine

take care, enjoy the truck

AC

still in Afghanistan