Quote Originally Posted by rspears View Post
Tidefan66,
When Pat says to drop the level a bit he's referring to the top of float/top of carb measurement (7/16") not your drop measurement. That TOF/TOC sets the fuel level in the bowl, and the idea is that a slightly reduced level might help. What vehicle is this in? Wonder if you've done anything that's trapping the heat under the hood with no place to go? Just a thought... I believe the insulating spacer beneath the carb is a good thing to keep, and if you can find an area station that does not add ethanol it would be a good test of that theory to run the tank nearly dry, then add five gallons or so of known good gas. One other thought, a friend told me a few days ago that he notices a big difference in starting by adding the prescribed amount of STABIL to his gas, even in hot weather - can't swear to that, but might be worth a try?
It's in a 66 Chevy II. I had a 350 in it with the same carb but over the winter I built this 327 since that's what I wanted in the first place. I had some hard starting issues when the carb was on that engine but I put a 1/2" wood spacer between the carb and intake and it solved the problem. It's been so long since I built the 350 but I may have put the block off plates in the intake gaskets on that one. I'm sure it would help but it's a lot of trouble to take the intake off. I'll drop the float level a little and I may put the 1/2" spacer on top of the insulator gasket as well. I would like to keep this carb if possible but if I was pretty sure a Holley or Quadrajet would work better I would swap in a second. We do have some stations here and there that sell non ethanol gas so I may try that. I'm thinking the Quadrajet is a way to go since they originally worked with the passage open under the intake on count of the choke. Stabil might be worth a shot too. I know I'm tired of working on it. I like to work on these old cars but I don't like having to deal with the same problem over and over. Right now I just want to enjoy it.