Here is the deal... I just got my 1970ss (clone) delivered. It looks immaculate! Anyway, I added about 3-4 gallons of 93 octane gas to the tank, so there is a little less than a quarter tank of gas.

I went to start it up, which requried me to pump the accelerator a few times. It will start up, and run fine as long as I am revving it. As soon as I stop reving the engine or if I drop it into reverse or drive, the car just shuts off?!?!?!

I'm not a tech guy, yet, as I'm still learning and new to the hobby. My chevelle is stuck in the street in front of my house, and I don't know what to do. Someone please help! Thanks

No ideas? I'm really in a bind here guys, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

is it leaking any fuel?
is the idle set too low?

are you sure you didn't put diesel in it?

Sounds like a stuck float. Is it flooding (Do you have to hold your foot to the floor to start it?)

What carb? Holley?
More info makes it easier. If there was no fuel in the tank when you got it (hence none in the carb) it could just be a stuck float.

Give the carb a few taps with a plastic mallet and it may dislodge.

Def didn't put diesel in it. It doesn't appear to be leaking anything. Nothing is dripping underneath. I don't know how to set the idle. I'm really new at this whole thing, and I'm really lost. It will start up without a problem, but it seems to be weak, almost puttering. When I hit the gas, it sounds strong and the entire car moves side to side. I just don't understand why it shuts off when I take my foot off the gas.

If I keep my foot on the gas while it's in park, it will run and it sounds like it runs strong. Any ideas?

Sounds like a stuck float. Is it flooding (Do you have to hold your foot to the floor to start it?)

What carb? Holley?
More info makes it easier. If there was no fuel in the tank when you got it (hence none in the carb) it could just be a stuck float.

Give the carb a few taps with a plastic mallet and it may dislodge.

I'm not sure what a float is. How do I tell if it's flooding? I do have to hold my foot on the gas to start it. I'm not sure if it's a holley carb. There was no fuel in the tank when I got it, I put a few gallons of 93 octane. YOu think if I bang on the carb, it might work?

Take the air cleaner off and see if the butterfly on top of the carb is closed. If it is, then gently insert a screwdriver into the TOP to hold that open or have someone hold that open as you start it. Your choke could be stuck "on".

For the floats
A few LIGHT taps on the carb may loosen the floats if that is the problem. If it is a Holley it may have 2 fuel lines entering the carb on the passenger side.

I'm not sure what a float is. How do I tell if it's flooding? I do have to hold my foot on the gas to start it. I'm not sure if it's a holley carb. There was no fuel in the tank when I got it, I put a few gallons of 93 octane. YOu think if I bang on the carb, it might work?


Call me... I am about 60 miles north of you, maybe I can help guide you through it on the phone..

Dave
772-370-9453

DO NOT BANG on the carb....lightly tap it in the float area, I know your next Q is...where is the float? first we need to know what kind of carb ya got.
does it say anything on it?

try this..
start it and keep it running...
as you drop it into drive or rev. feather the gas...not pump it
feather it to keep it running...
you drop it into drive with your foot(left) on the brakes, then feather the gas to keep it running..loading it up aganst the converter(it is an auto,right?)
after it's running and loaded up against the converter.. slowly let off the brakes..and get it into the driveway..
after that you can "see" why it is not running right
what carb. is on it...
if your new to this,, this might not be stuff you want to start on,by your self... but if you want to.. at the base of the carb. there will be 2 or 4 (depending on carb) screws with springs under there heads..
slowly turn them all the way in,untill they "seat" but don't overdo it.. once it stops turning stop..your not tight'n down a bolt..
now turn them out 1 and ahalf turns...
with it cold(engine) move the pedal alittle and see if the chock closes/if it does..you want a 3/16" gap (from choke to carb wall//can use a clean 3/16" drill bit to check)you don't want it fully closed...
o.k. start it up with a vacumn gauge hooked up it a source below the throd blades (those are the blades under the choke at the bottom of the carb..)
play with those same screws turning them what ever way gives you a higher reading on the vac. gauge.. do this to all those screws you set at 1 and a half out.. if two after the seconded go back and redo the first one..
if four you'll be going around twice..
as the vac. guage reading goes up.. the rpms will also go up..
on the carb near where the cable that hooked to the pedal in the car..
you'll see a set screw(stop) depenting on carb, where it'll be..
turn it out to lower the idle rpm
now set the timing..
check the timing with a timing light// if not a stock cam,etc get a vac. gauge and time it for the highest vac. reading..

You say there was no fuel in the tank. Was it bone dry? You might have picked up some dirt when you filled your tank. Change your fuel filter. Cheap fix.

WOW. I appreciate all the responses. I'm taking care of the dogs, then I will try everyone's responses. Dave, I'll give you a call in a few. I have to feed the dogs, then walk them. I really appreciate everyone's help, and I'll be back in a few. Thanks again everyone!

to just get it off the street, just 2 foot it. One foot on the brake and one on the gas enough to keep it running while putting it in gear. Once in driveway start doing all that is mentioned above.

I got it out of the street guys. Now I just have to figure out how to keep it running.

now go for a drive...
without knowing what in the engine..stock, etc can't give you a ballbark tuning for the timimg/etc
but this should get it running and driveable..
but no WOT runs just yet.. get it tuned up (hopefully by someone that let you watch/help)
as you do the BASE SETTINGS LISTED ABOVE
set the parking brake(if you feel it'll release) and block both wheels
I like to jack up the rear tires and put jackstands under the rear axle.. just high enough that the tires are off the ground.. this way if it pops into gear, it doesn't go anywhere..
safty first..
2ton jack and stands are 99.00 bucks at sears...cheaper than a stay at the local hospital..
good luck.. and with the guys on here..
"your in good hands"

now go for a drive...
without knowing what in the engine..stock, etc can't give you a ballbark tuning for the timimg/etc
but this should get it running and driveable..
but no WOT runs just yet.. get it tuned up (hopefully by someone that let you watch/help)
as you do the BASE SETTINGS LISTED ABOVE
set the parking brake(if you feel it'll release) and block both wheels
I like to jack up the rear tires and put jackstands under the rear axle.. just high enough that the tires are off the ground.. this way if it pops into gear, it doesn't go anywhere..
safty first..
2ton jack and stands are 99.00 bucks at sears...cheaper than a stay at the local hospital..
good luck.. and with the guys on here..
"your in good hands"

Getting a little ahead of the situation. I got it off the road, but it still shuts off as soon as I let my foot off the gas. I'll get a chance to try out everyone's suggestions in about 15 minutes. I'll report back with the results. Thanks again :)

Might try letting it warm up in park for a while before shifting it into gear.
Sounds like not enough choke problem to me.

Getting a little ahead of the situation. I got it off the road, but it still shuts off as soon as I let my foot off the gas. I'll get a chance to try out everyone's suggestions in about 15 minutes. I'll report back with the results. Thanks again :)


that was the 2nd post..
check the float like everyone said and do the base setting listed in my first post and it should run and not stall..
unless it has a major vacumn leak...
check to see if there are hoses connected to all the ports on the carb.
one missing or a split hose.. will make it run like that... check all the hoses going to and from the carb.. for cracks/splits... and that all ports are hooked up..
also does it have a egr valve..(it be on the intake and look like a mushrum..
if it's got one and it's stuck open.. same running problems you listed...

to get a stuck egr valve to close..
put your fingers in the valve under the mushroom looking head..
and push up and see it it closes... you may need to push up afew times..

Sounds like the choke to me

It's a rochester quadrajet carb. I'm looking at it now trying to figure out what you guys said now :)

Post a picture of the carb set up (3 pictures; front pass side, drivers side) Then the experts will have something to see.:yes:

An empty gas tank is a clue. Did the seller say anything about how it ran BEFORE you bought it???

seller said it ran strong and the car did not need anything. The transport lady said he loaded the car onto carrier with no problem.

Lets assume that is fact.
Sounds like the choke or a stuck float or some dirt in the carb. If you are not handy with these things you may need a bit of help but the problem seems minor;just a bad impact. can you do the pictures?

probably needs to warm up....as already said, may needs a choke adjustment

I'm not sure exactly what the choke is, or how I adjust it. I have the airfilter off, but I really don't know what I"m looking at. Let me find a digi camera. I have two of them, but i'm not sure where either one is. I'm looking now.

Would not hurt to check your fuel filters. Being virtually empty brought everything forward. You have not mentioned if it is blowing black smoke at anytime. A partner to help look and hold is needed in these situations.

the choke plate is the little 'flap' that is on the top of the carb when you take off the air cleaner.
when cold it should be closed & as the eng warms up it should open.
It may be out of adjustment or disconnected.

for now just warm the engine up by keeping it running until warm.

Did you try starting it with the air cleaner off. My choke lever was caught up on the air cleaner adapter and ran the same way yesterday.

Okay, I played with the screws on the carb, and got it running. It idles in park and neutral fine. I drove it a few feet, and it didn't seem too sure of itself. I'm scared to take it out of the neighborhood for fear of getting stuck. I have it parked in the driveway right now.

I gotta say, I'm a little dissapointed that this thing doesn't run perfect, or at least close to perfect right out of the box. This guy didn't say anything about any running problems. He also sold it as a "rust free" car. I'm not exactly sure what constitutes rust, but I'm seeing little bits and pieces throughout the car.

take pics

Here are some pics, and pics of the carb...

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188691

Take it for a drive around the block. Your choke is open and you may have just picked up some small junk. Change the fuel filter.

the choke doesnt appear to be on-the flap is open-it prob. will run ok after warm up
it almost looks like the carb doesnt match the intake-the intake pictured looks like it was made for a carb with round choke housing, and the carb looks like it was made for an intake with the rod and "well" type choke
your going to need to find someone who you can trust to help you out, since you dont have experience with this stuff

HI Phil.
Any update?
Are you good to go?