1956 Flooded finally started, runs rough

[Goldwinghg]

Started my car this morning as usual it can be slow and tries to flood out. After it started it ran really rough. Took it out for a drive to see if it would smooth out. Never did,I thought maybe the plugs needed to be changed. They looked really black,and I thought new plugs would help. After changing them it doesn't run much better. It's doesn't want to idle. After I take off,it runs pretty fair but still smells rich. Any suggestion what might be the problem?

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[fac_caniff]

First time this spring?……. Could be bad gas. Ethanol/gas gets kind of punky.

 

[Hernando Muñoz]

Need to calibrate the float needle from the upper nut that tightens by holding the center, loosening the nut, and then only only turning the center which is the float needle. Then tighten the nut again.
The correct carb level is measure by unscrewing the side bolt and the level, with the engine on idle, should only be just below the hole and not dripping.
Be careful, this is done with the engine running, but start the analysis by simply opening the bolt and see if it is overfilled with engine off.

 

[Goldwinghg]

Need to calibrate the float needle from the upper nut that tightens by holding the center, loosening the nut, and then only only turning the center which is the float needle. Then tighten the nut again.
The correct carb level is measure by unscrewing the side bolt and the level, with the engine on idle, should only be just below the hole and not dripping.
Be careful, this is done with the engine running, but start the analysis by simply opening the bolt and see if it is overfilled with engine off.

I have a holley carb. Not original t pot. I guess I should have added that in my comments.

 

[Tom Alpers]

IF it was running good "last week" and isnt now and the plugs are all sooted up that suggests the carb has gotten way too rich. Maybe dirt, maybe sticking needle/seat. Not familar enough with internals of holley to suggest much more.

 

[74 Harley]

Have you checked to make sure the choke isn't sticking closed?

 

[Goldwinghg]

IF it was running good "last week" and isnt now and the plugs are all sooted up that suggests the carb has gotten way too rich. Maybe dirt, maybe sticking needle/seat. Not familar enough with internals of holley to suggest much more.

I think it's in the carb. too,finding somebody to check it out, isn't easy even around Houston.

 

[doug7740]

In my opinion, rebuilding a Holley 4160 carburetor is a lot easier than rebuilding the original Holley 4000 (T-Pot) carburetor. Instead of looking for someone to rebuild your carburetor, did you ever consider rebuilding it yourself? Half the fun of owning a classic car is doing the work yourself.

Attached is the Holley 4150 rebuilding guide.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Goldwinghg]

In my opinion, rebuilding a Holley 4160 carburetor is a lot easier than rebuilding the original Holley 4000 (T-Pot) carburetor. Instead of looking for someone to rebuild your carburetor, did you ever consider rebuilding it yourself? Half the fun of owning a classic car is doing the work yourself.

Attached is the Holley 4150 rebuilding guide.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

Adjusted the float levels. Running great now. Thanks to all that commented.

 

[dustymtn]

Started my car this morning as usual it can be slow and tries to flood out. After it started it ran really rough. Took it out for a drive to see if it would smooth out. Never did,I thought maybe the plugs needed to be changed. They looked really black,and I thought new plugs would help. After changing them it doesn't run much better. It's doesn't want to idle. After I take off,it runs pretty fair but still smells rich. Any suggestion what might be the problem?

It sounds to me like a stuck or fluid-filled float, or a stuck needle & seat. You could also check to see if the fuel pump is providing too much pressure, It should be 2.5 to 3 PSI.

 

[hotrodbuilder]

Started my car this morning as usual it can be slow and tries to flood out. After it started it ran really rough. Took it out for a drive to see if it would smooth out. Never did,I thought maybe the plugs needed to be changed. They looked really black,and I thought new plugs would help. After changing them it doesn't run much better. It's doesn't want to idle. After I take off,it runs pretty fair but still smells rich. Any suggestion what might be the problem?

Probably has a bad power valve allowing fuel to bypass the diaphragm. Replace the power valve.

 

[Goldwinghg]

I found it was flooding out. The float was set to high,causing flooding. Adjust the bowl level starting and running great!

 

[Oivind Ronning]

If you have a teapot carb. it might be the tube beween the lower half and the upper half of the carb(between intake and bowl valve. Here it is one o-ring in each end of the tube that will wear during long time parking. If it start leaking, fuel will be feed directly into the aft intake ports. It will then run very rich and smoke black. This is a problem if car has been longtine parked with “E” fuel for a longer period of time.

 

[Goldwinghg]

If you have a teapot carb. it might be the tube beween the lower half and the upper half of the carb(between intake and bowl valve. Here it is one o-ring in each end of the tube that will wear during long time parking. If it start leaking, fuel will be feed directly into the aft intake ports. It will then run very rich and smoke black. This is a problem if car has been longtine parked with “E” fuel for a longer period of time.

Holley,