the beast roars but needs carb help

[steverino66]

I finally got the 454 fired up Valentine's Day (wife was sick, play day for me!)
Problem - it runs/revs fine once started, but won't start on its own without gas being poured in the carb - 1407 Edelbrock, manual choke (cable not hooked up yet); bought carb reconditioned, online from a stranger last year.
I'm no carb expert, but I should be able to see/hear gas pumping in the carb when I crank the throttle linkage, right? Your thoughts welcome.

[Big Fenders]

It looks like you have a see through gas line filter..should be able to tell if the fuel pump is working by observing the filter. Another thought..carb floats set to specs?
Bob

[protrash64]

I had this same issue steverino66.....I hate to tell you, but its probably in the tank. Your getting air in there somewhere. My 'burb did the same thing and I finally found a cobbled up sender in the tank. It had silicon on it and was leaking. I replaced all the lines and pump, didnt fix it. Found a rubber'jumper' piece on the frame...replaced hose, didnt fix it. Finally the tank and it works now. If it sits for awhile I have to crank it 3x's and it fires 3rd time every time.

Start tracing your fuel lines.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I had this same issue steverino66.....I hate to tell you, but its probably in the tank. Your getting air in there somewhere. My 'burb did the same thing and I finally found a cobbled up sender in the tank. It had silicon on it and was leaking. I replaced all the lines and pump, didnt fix it. Found a rubber'jumper' piece on the frame...replaced hose, didnt fix it. Finally the tank and it works now. If it sits for awhile I have to crank it 3x's and it fires 3rd time every time.

Start tracing your fuel lines.

I did an experiment just now - disconnected gas line at the carb, cranked the starter with the line feeding into a clear plastic jug. Plenty of clean gas is getting to the carb, but the carb is not pumping it through to start. (I had the previous tired 350 starting and running fine with same lines and tank). I checked for blockage at the inlet, it's clear.
I may be down to yanking the carb and finding a local expert unless somebody has a better suggestion - as mentioned, I'm no carburetor guy.

[protrash64]

Check that banjo bolt setup at the fuel inlet. I had issues with one of these carbs awhile ago. You can take that top off and look into the fuel bowls see if theres junk.....use carb cleaner with a squirt tube and you can shoot thru most passages.

Im not a carb expert by any stretch, either.

[Captainfab]

Sounds to me like a malfunction with the accelerator pump. When you open the throttle. do you see gas squirting into the venturies?

[ChiefRocka]

I too suspect the accelerator pump circuit...Pull that thing apart...carbs are easy bro...Don't be intimidated.

[steverino66]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'm not intimidated about taking it apart, just doubting my ability to see the problem unless it's obvious trash in there. Somebody on the engine side suggested adjusting the accelerator pump linkage upward, but I'm back to the daily grind today. Maybe Saturday.

[protrash64]

In the original post you said it 'revs fine'......that would tell me the acc pump is OK. Why would you guys suggest that? Im just trying to learn; my last Edelbrock got fixed by replacing it.

[jason65]

Is it because when you start the engine you prime it by pushing on the gas. When its running the vacume produced be the engine helps pull the gas from the acc pump. Thus a week pump? I like fuel inj better. Just break out the scanner. j/k

[retodd7711]

Here is a schematic and owner's manual for your carb.
Follow the troubleshooting guide page 22-23 to cure most common problems.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2537789/carb-owners-manual

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by retodd7711

Here is a schematic and owner's manual for your carb.
Follow the troubleshooting guide page 22-23 to cure most common problems.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2537789/carb-owners-manual

Outstanding - help from another Tennessee boy (I'm originally from Clarksville).
Thanks!

[protrash64]

Any update? Im curious and trying to learn. As I mentioned above, I had issues with an EdelB that wouldnt idle. I messed with it for 3 days and never got it working. It would start, rev all day, and NEVER idle. I ended up even taking the metering rods completely out so gas should've poured in it and it would not idle.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Any update? Im curious and trying to learn. As I mentioned above, I had issues with an EdelB that wouldnt idle. I messed with it for 3 days and never got it working. It would start, rev all day, and NEVER idle. I ended up even taking the metering rods completely out so gas should've poured in it and it would not idle.

Protrash-
Nothing yet - will be at least Sunday before more play time (on my dinner break right now - covered up with work).
Check out the link Retodd sent above to the manual - looks very helpful.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Any update? Im curious and trying to learn. As I mentioned above, I had issues with an EdelB that wouldnt idle. I messed with it for 3 days and never got it working. It would start, rev all day, and NEVER idle. I ended up even taking the metering rods completely out so gas should've poured in it and it would not idle.

UPDATE - the culprit on mine turned out to be a simple adjustment: the plunger wasn't traveling far enough to let gas into primaries (see connector circled in the pic). I moved the arm from top hole to the bottom so the plunger starts farther down in its stroke, now it squirts gas when I pump the linkage, starts with 1 accelerator pump, and will even IDLE!)
Thanks to everyone who replied.

[protrash64]

Ive made that adjustment before; I thought it just applied the accelerator pump earlier. Im going to have to check out my 'bad' EdelB.