351 Cleveland help wanted

The e-bay auction said this:

THE ENGINE IS A 351 CLEVELAND WITH THE FOLLOWING PARTS:MALLORY DISTRIBUTOR,HOLLEY CARB LIST 1950,EDELBROCK F351 ALUMINUM INTAKE,MALLORY WIRES,WAS TOLD IT HAS A PAW ENGINE KIT,NEW CRANK,NEW RODS, NEW PISTONS,BORED OVER,9133M SUPER STOCK CAM,RING BEARING ,TIMING CHAIN ETC..DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS A 4 BOLT OR 2 BOLT BLOCK BECAUSE I HAVE NOT SEEN THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE.WAS TOLD IT WAS A 4 BOLT..BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL FROM THE OUTSIDE

That is all I know about it. Ford engines are not my thing, and this one doesn't like to run. It hates to start, and when it does start, it wants to die. It likes to flood out. We were able to drive it a little by proping open the 3&4th barrels on the carb. I didn't know if the gas had turned to varnish in the carb, or what. Any info on why it is acting the way it is would be appreciated.

P.S. pic of engine can be seen in my gallery.

Sorry, I don't have a name to call u. As a mechanic, I've found that most engine problems usually allow the engine to at least idle - even wrong ignition timing can be forgiving ( up to a point). Incorrect air/fuel ratio is responsible for many poor idle/bad behavior problems. Once you get that engine running mate, restrict the carb air intake with your hand or a rag and watch what happens. If the engine stabilises and runs smoother then you've just touched the offending area. What that would tell you is that the air/fuel ratio is way too lean and that engine ain't gonna want to boogie with it. It's either caused by a massive vacuum leak or more likely a prob' with the carb'. Does it have an idle stop solanoid? I'm limited for time - someone's at the door - watch this space - Rob

Sorry I missed the bit about the flooding. If it is flooding, the u should have tell tale black exhaust smoke. You should also be able to see raw fuel running down the venturis with the engine running. If that's the case, then it's probably a sticking needle and seat that's allowing the fuel level to keep rising until it overflows into the carb throats. The other way to confirm an excessively rich mixture is to remove the brake booster vacuum hose. This action would bring the air/fuel ratio to a more acceptable level promoting better combustion. The engine should then speed up and run well as a result of having an extra supply of air to burn the excess fuel. With that clarified, you have to refit that hose and fix the problem. We're with you here! I hope you get on top of it. Rob

Sounds like way too much fuel. try new plugs, or at least look at ALL 8 to see what they look like and if they all look alike. I'd also recomend doing a compression test on all 8 cyls, and double check the base timing.

Have you another carb to try? I would suspect the carb is either dirty or way out of what. Any idea what you have for a cam in there? Compression ratio?

What car have you got it in, auto or manual, and what are you using for headers/exhaust?

The engine is in a 1939 Nash Ambassador Six. It is coupled to a C6 tranny. I bought the car off e-bay sight unseen for the body. The engine was just icing. I am just now learning about Chevy engines, and have yet to rebuild one. This is my first Ford. The guy I bought it from restored Mustangs, and had bought it for the engine. He later decided he wanted a stock Cleveland, so he sold this one. He got it from a guy who had hired all the work done, and had hit hard times. Apparently he got really sick, and had to sell off the unfinished rod. He wouldn't talk to the guy who bought it, and said what you see is what you get. No stat sheets, no nothing. The car right now is in storage until we get the garage finished, which will probably be a few more weeks. I can do some work on the car where it sets, but not a lot. The battery was moved to the trunk, if that means anything on the starting. Apparently we proped the choke open, not the barrels. I thought the problem with it running might have been that it was left setting for a while. I just went up to Michigan to get this car and bring it home a couple of weeks ago, so I haven't had a long time to work on it. Just in case it will clarify anything, I will include the full text of the description in the e-bay auction below.

THIS PROJECT WAS STARTED WITH MOSTLY NEW PARTS,THE CHASSIS WAS SENT OUT TO BE DONE
THE BODY NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED,IT IS VERY SOLID BUT HAS HOLES ON THE FRONT FLOORS AND RUST ON THE ROCKER PANELS..THE INTERIOR HAS TWO GM BUCKET SEATS WITH THE ORIGINAL DOOR PANELS AND BACK SEAT

HAS THE RUNNING BOARDS WITH IT..MOST OF THE GLASS,ORIGINAL HEADLIGHT COVERS AND HOLDERS,EXTRA GRILL,SOME INTERIOR TRIM

THE ENGINE IS A 351 CLEVELAND WITH THE FOLLOWING PARTS:MALLORY DISTRIBUTOR,HOLLEY CARB LIST 1950,EDELBROCK F351 ALUMINUM INTAKE,MALLORY WIRES,WAS TOLD IT HAS A PAW ENGINE KIT,NEW CRANK,NEW RODS, NEW PISTONS,BORED OVER,9133M SUPER STOCK CAM,RING BEARING ,TIMING CHAIN ETC..DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS A 4 BOLT OR 2 BOLT BLOCK BECAUSE I HAVE NOT SEEN THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE.WAS TOLD IT WAS A 4 BOLT..BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL FROM THE OUTSIDE>p>HAS NEW ELECTRIC FAN,HEADERS.POWER BRAKES,ALL NEW BRAKE SYSTEM.

THE CHASSIS HAS A MUSTANG 2 TYPE FRONT END,MUSTANG 9 INCH REAR END 3.50,C6 TRANS,GM TILT,NEW ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP,RACK AND PINION STEERING,NEW REAR LEAF SPRINGS,SHOCKS,NEW AFTER MARKET GAUGES,BATTERY IN THE TRUNK

IT HAS A CLEAR TITLE

IT WOULD BE WISE TO LOOK AT THIS CAR BEFORE BIDDING BECAUSE IT NEED A LOT OF WORK AND SOME OF THE WORK SHOULD BE REDONE..

THIS CAR DOES RUN AND GOES DOWN THE ROAD I DROVE IT BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE ,1939 NASH VIN R3333245 CLEAR TITLE,,WARNING THIS CAR NEEDS A LOT OF WORK,,A LOT OF MONEY WAS SPENT BUT NEEDS MORE

I DID NONE OF THE WORK ON THIS CAR AND ONLY KNOW WHAT I CAN SEE AND WHAT I WAS TOLD

EMAIL ME WITH QUESTIONS AND I WILL DO MY BEST THANKS

RESEARVE IS WHAT THE ENGINE IS WORTH,CAR CAN BE SEEN IN ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN AREA