Hey all,
Just purchased a 1987 project Camaro with stock carb. V8 and need some help.
It starts ok, but runs rough for a moment then dies, it is running way rich (lots of fuel odor and black smoke). The guy I bought it from says he had the carb rebuilt trying to fix it, but to no avail.
Any suggestions for a starting point?

thanks in advance
Derrick

Derrick,
There is a small vacuum diaphram called the "choke pull-off" that should open the choke a little ways as soon as the motor starts running. It sounds as though it is not working. That would be the first thing I would look at.

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Bill Koustenis
Owner
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
1971 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" original owner
1973 Z-28 ..one family car...Brother bought it new in 73

BillK,
thanks for the tip, I did not find the component you mentioned yet (too dark out), but I did start it and the choke is staying sealed shut. I pinned it open and the motor runs much better. Definately a choke issue (at the very least). a test drive over the weekend should tell more.
Any suggestions on a good maint. manual? I have Haynes and am somewhat disappointed in the carb (4V) and wiring coverage.

thanks again

turns out that the choke is completely non functional. There is no voltage to the electrical connection on the choke. Is there a switch or relay that directs current to the choke?
On top of that the screws that hold the choke adjust are stripped, a little tap work will fix that.

Derrick

If you remove the choke adjuster the blades sholud stay loose and not seal off the primaries. It pretty warm in florida so you can probily get away without a for a while if you had to. As far as tapping i think thats pretty thin alimnum and vary hard to fix threads that small. You might just want to buy a used carb and have the pieces swapped.

Derrick,
I am pretty sure the choke is a straight feed from the ignition switch, but without a wiring diagram, I cannot tell for sure. There still should be a pull off that opens the choke a bit when the motor first starts running. It is a small vacuum canister with a link to the choke. They go bad pretty often. If you cannot figure out where it is, go to the parts store and have them show you one so that you can see what it looks like.
As expensive as they are, I personally believe that the factory service manuals are the only way to go. I have them for all my vehicles, old and new. They are still available from Helm on thier web site, or watch E-bay...there are bunches of them on sale there.
Hope this helps,

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Bill Koustenis
Owner
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
1971 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" original owner
1973 Z-28 ..one family car...Brother bought it new in 73