Edelbrock 1406 Problems

[Mike Quillici]

I took my truck to the mountains this weekend. It performed perfectly on Friday. On Saturday, I fired her up, and she ran like crap. When I turned off the engine (actually, it died), fuel was leaking out of the driver side of the carburetor, and I could see fuel dripping from the driver side front jet. I took off the top of the carb (after having a friend bring me a torx tool), checked out the floats and put it back together. She ran like a champ for about 100 miles with stop and go traffic. However, as soon as I got off the freeway, she loaded up and died. I managed to get it restarted, and it ran decently the rest of the way home.

Any ideas as to what may be going on?? Sticking float? Do I need to rebuild the carb??

[70cst]

I don't have an answer but here is a bump for you...

[powerdriver 1958]

Might need to replace the fuel filter , have seen some come apart and send gunk thru . Sounds like a piece something stuck the needle open and then washed it thru

[72TealnWhite]

sounds similar to my problem, run great for one trip.. then 2hr. later .. run like crap.. i dont get it .. but i love it. Take a look at some past threads.. i know there is a tuneup manual pdf file floating around for the 1406.. i have one as well.. good luck
nate

[69heavychevy]

maybe due to the change in elevation...

[oldblue1968chevy]

I know edelbrocks with out the 'edelbrock pump' or a regulator flood and make nasty stains on the manifold (mine does )

[Mike Quillici]

Well, I just installed a fuel pressure gauge and changed the fuel filter. Maybe that will help. The pressure fluctuates back and forth between 5 and 7 psi pretty rapidly.

[bollybib]

Take a look at Posts #16-18 in my Project thread and see if that is any help. Edelbrocks need pressure regulation.

[Murphy IRE]

I don't have a pressure regulator on my '71, but that's next. The PO had changed all the jets and rods to run very rich. I'm at 5,400' and drive a lot over 9,000'. Get the Edelbrock manual for the 1406, Do you have all the stuff for #1 factory settings. If you don't know, take the top off and check the jets and rods. I'm changing mine to setting #10 (on the graph). My friend has a '72 and he put a PR on his, but he is changing the jets to run leaner on both barrels. Also, how much heat do you have on the fuel line? I have a ton!!! so I'm going to wrap the SS line with black rubber fuel line and then in thermal wrap to isolate the heat.

[Mike Quillici]

If fuel pressure is the problem. Would that present as a problem that comes and goes??

[Mike Quillici]

OK. Yesterday, I changed the fuel filter, and now my fuel pressure gauge moves so fast I can barely even see the needle. It fluctuates like mad between 0 and 10 psi. That can't be right, can it? The needle is a blur!

[huero]

10 psi is way too much. That will definitely flood the carb.
This of course if your gauge is reading accurately. First things first, what fuel pump you using?

[Mike Quillici]

An OEM fuel pump. Thinking about possibly purchasing the Edelbrock 1721.

[COBALT]

I had this type of thing happen to me after a tune-up a couple of years ago. All of a sudden I was soaking the plugs and it ran like crap with gas everywhere. I took the air horn off (the top of the carb) and poked around looking for answers. I found a lot of residue in the float bowls, and so I cleaned out the needles and seats and reinstalled the top of the air horn. NO problems after that.

I don't know how long you've had yours, or what type of filter setup you have, but I run two filters because of that. I think getting heavy contaminates in your carburetor - possibly from your gas tank can clog things up in a hurry, and the carb will just flood itself.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I looked and edelbrock gets around $100 for their pumps?!?!!?!?!?

Seemed kinda high..

What regualtor setup are you guys usiing?

[storm9c1]

When I use Edelbrock carbs, I always be sure to use their pump too. It doesn't need a regulator nor does it need dialed in. It just works.

Be sure to put the filter AFTER the pump and have a sock on the pickup in the tank.

[Mike Quillici]

Good deal. Is installing an Edlebrock pump a simple changeout? In other words, unhook the hoses, unbolt the old pump, bolt on the new one, and hook upthe hoses?

Originally Posted by storm9c1

When I use Edelbrock carbs, I always be sure to use their pump too. It doesn't need a regulator nor does it need dialed in. It just works.

Be sure to put the filter AFTER the pump and have a sock on the pickup in the tank.

[COBALT]

It was for me. It was a simple swap with the standard mechanical OEM fuel pump. By default it was set up exactly as I needed it to be.

[GASoline71]

A mechanical stock pump is just fine for Edelbrock carbs. They only put out around 5 to maybe 6 psi.

Even with an Edelbrock street type pump... it won't need a regualtor.

I run Carter mechanical "street" pumps., Consistent 6 psi all day long. No regulator needed.

Gary

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I know edelbrocks with out the 'edelbrock pump' or a regulator flood and make nasty stains on the manifold (mine does )

Mine doesn't and it has been on multiple vehicles.

OP, it sounds like junk in a needle.

[Mike Quillici]

Originally Posted by COBALT

It was for me. It was a simple swap with the standard mechanical OEM fuel pump. By default it was set up exactly as I needed it to be.

Do I need to pinch off the fuel line coming from the tank? In other words, If I unhook the fuel lines, will the I drain the tank?

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ive had it apart a few times to clean it, flushed the tank etc

Maybe i''ll puller about and re set floats etc

[Marv D]

Guys guys guys guys!!!!!

Don't take my word for it,, listen to EDELBROCK...

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_...mps_main.shtml

Their Victor pumps make 8.5-9psi. The only Edelbrock pump to NOT need a regulator is the RPM street pump (#17000 and 17001 which produces 6psi

NOW,, read the Edelbrock Performer series manual.

http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive_.../1000/1407.pdf

ESPECIALLY page 8 where it says

Avoid extremes in fuel pressure. At IDLE, there should not be any more than 6.0 psi; if the vehicle has an adjustable fuel-pressure regulator, set it to 5.5 psi. With most fuel pumps the minimum fuel pressure is encountered at high rpm and WOT.

Unless you have some way to monitor fuel pressure at high rpm,, you might think about a regulator and setting it to 5.5psi!!! like they suggest It's cured every Edelbrock carb I've ever trouble with.

[COBALT]

Originally Posted by Mike Quillici

Do I need to pinch off the fuel line coming from the tank? In other words, If I unhook the fuel lines, will the I drain the tank?

Yes, from the tank to the pump absolutely unless you have dual tanks and can just isolate the main.

By the way I bought a fuel pressure regulator and was going to mount it on the firewall and after I installed the new pump I didn't bother. Once I had the new pump, and put in more than one filter (on before the pump and one after) I had no problems with a flooding 1406.

[Mike Quillici]

Originally Posted by COBALT

Yes, from the tank to the pump absolutely unless you have dual tanks and can just isolate the main.

By the way I bought a fuel pressure regulator and was going to mount it on the firewall and after I installed the new pump I didn't bother. Once I had the new pump, and put in more than one filter (on before the pump and one after) I had no problems with a flooding 1406.

I just picked up the 1721 pump, but I'm confused. My current fuel pump has three ports - I'm assuming in, out, and return. But, the 1721 only has two ports. . .how do I make this work???