There is an old post that paralled this:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=91265&highlight=running+rough
Long story short the gas guage is busted and ran out of gas 2 days ago. It was running perfectly prior. I noticed a rough idle a few minutes before I ran out of gas. Filled her up, and now she's really rough. Will barely hold idle. Have a really hard time getting it started.
The post above said I may have sucked up some crap from the tank. I have a see thru fuel filter and it looks pretty good. Some very minor stuff in the bottom, but I can barely see it.
I am a carb super novice. I just learned about idle screws today. I followed the post above and pulled the needles and the seats and barely saw anything there. I cleaned them up and reinstalled. Now gas shoots up from my carb!!! What'd I do wrong here? :confused:
Beers!!:beers:
Oh, carb is a holley 4160 80457

I will bet a 6-pack a whatever that the gas isn't the best!!

pdq67

holley???floats are set too high...loosten up the big nut, and turn the screw in to lower the float angle...when the fuel is not pouring out of the carb anymore, pull the sight screw out of the side of the carb, and set the floats accordingly...

Yeah, I'm sure the floats are set wrong. I pulled what the needles from the top of the carb and locked them all the way down. How far do I need to back them out? What is spec? How do I set them using the sight screw?? New to carbs...thanks!!!
Just bought a new fuel filter too so that can't hurt.

Hmmm this doesn't make sense to me...if the needles are all the way down, how are the floats too high?? I pulled the sight screws and a good amount of gas came out.

The "nut" sets the position, the screw locks it down and seals it.

If you didn't screw the nut down some, just tightened the screw, it will leak.

You said it ran fine before it ran out of gas, If it was fine with the adjustments before for a long time then it sounds to me more like something did clog something likely the carb. I bet just a simple pull the carb apart blow it all out , intall new gaskets and fuel filter is what the doc orders. Who knows tho you could have a million miles on your timming chain and it jummed when you ran out from a missfire. Keep us posted on new findings.

I know this doesn't help your situation, but that was my original post. My issue ended up being a bad module in my MSD distributor.

Hmmm this doesn't make sense to me...if the needles are all the way down, how are the floats too high?? I pulled the sight screws and a good amount of gas came out.

I can't do multiquote, but to expound on Jim's reply and your question a good starting point is with the jet about halfway up the inside of the nut.

You need to use the nut to unscrew the needle/seat, and blow it out. Make sure the needle flops free. Sop up gas with big old rags and get em off the engine before you try to start it. Electric or mechanical fuel pump?

You probly got some crap in your idle jets. But maybe not. I would run it awhile and see if it clears it's throat.

If it stays running tough remove the idle jets and get a can of carb cleaner, blast into the port with the little red straw a couple times. Before you pull the idle jets just turn them in til they lightly contact and count how far in they were. This will be your baseline for putting them back. If you forget to do this use 2 to 2 1/2 rounds out as a starting point.

Either that or take it all apart from the get-go like someone else said. They are easy. We will help you.

A little piece of something made its way in the metering block!......A guaranteed fix is to remove the metering block and let it soak in carburetor solvent over night.:thumbsup:

By the way, I dig your username, I drink it alot!:yes:

Wow, I'm thoroughly confused. Again, this is my FIRST time messing with a carb, so I have little idea of what I'm doing. Do the needle carriages adjust the float?? I backed them out and there is gas flying all over the place when I go to start. I have the sight plugs out. Maybe I need to leave them in there until I'm idling?? Not sure how to adjust the nut/screw. This is a 4 barrel so I'm double trouble!! What kind of ballpark should I back them off fully seated?? I'm not sure how the lock nut is supposed to keep the needles in place as it turns the whole carriage body?? Not sure if I'm using the right terminology here. Haven;t found a good link on how to do this yet...

Me and Jim told you how the needle and seat work and gave you rough adjustments too.. Try re-reading the thread. You are letting the nut confuse you. That nut isn't anything. Nothing. It only serves 2 purposes.
1. It confuses people
2. It gives you a 'handle' to adjust the needle/seat height
3. It gives the 2 junk gaskets a place to break and leak

ok it has 3 purposes:D

Go to Holley.com and read some of their stuff. Keep trying:)

take it south of town, mash the brake and the gas at the same time, hold it, then release the brake and put the petal to the metal to "clean the cobbs out of it". I think its junk in the carb.

Wow, I'm thoroughly confused.


That's from drinking all that beer!!.....SLOW DOWN MAN!!:hurray::beers:

Beerboy -
this will get you in the "ballpark" for your float adjustment.

With motor OFF!

Put the sight plugs back in.

You will have 3 mian pieces to deal with - the need/seat assembly, the nut that has 5/8" flats, and the big flat headed screw.

Thread the needle/seat into the fuel bowl. Slide the nut over the top of the needl/seat. Turn the nut clockwise until the top of the needle/seat is flush with the top of the nut. Give the nut a couple more clockwise turns, so that the top of the needle/seat is is below the top of the nut by about half the thickness of the nut.

Next, make sure there is a paper gasket between the nut and the fuel bowl, and set the nut in place. Make sure there is a paper gasket between the top of the nut and the flat head screw. Hold the nut in position witha 5/8 wrench, and tighten the screw firmly.

This usually sets the floats pretty close, perhaps a tad low.

Start the motor and let it run a few seconds. If you still have fuel squirting out the vent tubes then you either have a bad needle/seat, some crap stuck in them, or a sunk float.

If all is well, then you need to adjust the floats. Post back if you get it fine to this point, and some kind soul will help you with final adjustment of the floats. Maybe even me, if I happen to be online.

PS YES - the needle/seat adjusts the float level. Clockwise lowers the float level and CCW raises the float level. Externally adjustable floats = :cool:

Man, you guys are great. The Beerboy approves of the kind heartedness!!! I've had this handle on many forums and at college for years now...and yes, many beers already tonight!! :beers: Haha. I'll leave my drink of choice for another forum - I've read a thread on beer alone here!!!

Just frustrating being by yourself and not that many people my age that know about carbs as fuel injection is the norm now. I'll give it another shot in the morning. Showered now and sick of covered in gas for the night!!!

Thanks guys again so much!! You are keeping my interest over frustration alive!!!

As alwyas, beers!! :beers: and I'll let you know how I make out....and ask more questions.

You're making me thirsty for..... well you know what!!:beers::yes::thumbsup:

Thanks, BPOS!!! Just what the doctor ordered. She's alive again, and without the gas eruption!! Still needs a little tuning, but I have a bud looking at it this weekend. Thanks again!! I never thought to thread the needle into the carb further than the thickness of the nut!!:beers: