overheating

[piper mike]

hi all,

This here is my first post to ask a question, hopefully I can give enough backgrounnd info. I have a '75 w/302 and an automatic, the guy I bought it from put a edelbrock performer series carb and manifold. I'm not even sure what size it is. I've been driving it for a year, runs pretty good starts right up it coughs alittle bit when you first get going but if you feather the throttle it's ok. When it's hot it's harder to start and smells like gas almost like it's flooding, nothing that I haven't been able to live with. Last weekend my girlfriend and I took it out for a trail run, as we were going along I noticed my temp gauge going up. We got to a part in the trail where we had to turn around and thats where it started to stall, wouldn't stay running and finially quit. After along walk back to the house I grabbed an exta battery and went back to where it was, it had cooled down and started up so I could drive myself out. Questions- is it common for overheating like this to happen at slow speeds? The radiator is new. Does anyone have much experence with these carbs? I was reading that they sell some sort of spring loaded needle and seat to prevent flooding offroad I didn't know if this would help. Any help would be great.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Mike.,

Sounds like at least one prob., if not, more.

1.)" it coughs a little bit when you first get going but if you feather the throttle it's ok."

This isn't right.... could be a choke adjustment needed., carb. jetting., metering rod settings....what's your altitude.?

2.)"When it's hot it's harder to start and smells like gas almost like it's flooding,"

Not good either... should be very, very little smell if any.

--EDIT-- Just noticed in another post...the POWER-VALVE could be leaking., if in fact there is one on this carb.

3.) "is it common for overheating like this to happen at slow speeds?"

Yes., to a degree....slow & go., climbing will usually kick it up a bit (maybe 10 deg.) what temp did it reach.?

4.)"it started to stall, wouldn't stay running and finally quit"

#'s 2,3,4 could be a number of issues., or a combination there of.

Carb. internal probs. such as., float., needle & seat., jetting., metering rods...

Distrib. could be faulty, not timed correctly....

Timing chain could be ready to give up....

Vapor-lock could come into play...

"EDIT" OOPS.., forgot stuck-open/bad thermostat can create problems, on other than short runs..!!

Was eng. flushed at radiator change...., is it a 3 or 4 core radiator.?

"Trail runs" wouldn't bother the carb., it would be steep ups & downs, & rocky frame twisters for the most part.

 

[piper mike]

Thanks Bob, I'm only about 900' above sea level, as for the radiator,I can only assume it is a stock replacement, don't know if the engine was flushed before install. It probably went up to 190- 200 deg. don't remember exactly, I just know it was hotter than normal. I downloaded some more carb info, going to study that. Sounds like I need a good tune up to start with. Thanks again, this is a great forum for info!

Hi Mike.,Sounds like at least one prob., if not, more.

1.)" it coughs a little bit when you first get going but if you feather the throttle it's ok."

This isn't right.... could be a choke adjustment needed., carb. jetting., metering rod settings....what's your altitude.?

2.)"When it's hot it's harder to start and smells like gas almost like it's flooding,"

Not good either... should be very, very little smell if any.

3.) "is it common for overheating like this to happen at slow speeds?"

Yes., to a degree....slow & go., climbing will usually kick it up a bit (maybe 10 deg.) what temp did it reach.?

4.)"it started to stall, wouldn't stay running and finally quit"

#'s 2,3,4 could be a number of issues., or a combination there of.

Carb. internal probs. such as., float., needle & seat., jetting., metering rods...

Distrib. could be faulty, not timed correctly....

Timing chain could be ready to give up....

Vapor-lock could come into play...

"EDIT" OOPS.., forgot stuck-open/bad thermostat can create problems, on other than short runs..!!

Was eng. flushed at radiator change...., is it a 3 or 4 core radiator.?

"Trail runs" wouldn't bother the carb., it would be steep ups & downs, & rocky frame twisters for the most part.

 

[Bully Bob]

You're welcome.,

In addition., 180 deg. & a good qual. thermostat is best.

If & when you want to flush eng. block the kits are cheap & just follow the directions. Easy job.

(and., if crud comes out....back-flush rad. when you're done)

Lastly., B/4 you do anything to carb. ..., be sure the timing is on ., & the timing chain is with-in limits.

----My '72 was acting similar to yours., then quit completly.

----The chain & gears were history....

Enjoy,

B