I just purchased my first Chevelle!
And I am going over any little quirks
and getting used to the car.

I have noticed that occasionally, only when
I am at a complete stop..I hit the gas to go
and there is a slight (sometimes moderate)
hesitation.

I also read a posting earlier about the
"click" sound when you go to start the car
about 3-4 times before the engine will actually
turn and the car start..I am expiriencing
that as well. I will be checking the connections,
solenoid and starter for this, but
I am concerned about the acceleration.

My husband and father are both very good
with cars, but are not mechanics by profession.

I am wondering if anyone has expirienced this
before and what could be causing this.

The carb is a 4brl edlebrock
The motor is the original #match 327

Jennifer

For the carb, it sounds like you have a flat spot probably due to a worn out accelerator pump. I'm not sure if you can buy those individually or if you have to buy a rebuild kit.
Mike

Jennifer, welcome to the Chevelle World!

You have two of the most common problems for any car. As Mike said above, the first thing that comes to mind is the accelerator pump. Only problem is this part usually comes only in a carb kit. Edelbrock might make a replacement pump by itself.

For the starting problem, I'll state the obvious.......make sure you have tight, clean connections. If you have old battery cables, I would highly recommend replacing them. They are inexpensive, easy to install and just might cure your problem. When replacing the positive cable, make sure the ground cable is disconnected. If this doesn't solve the problem, then I would look at the start solenoid and then the starter itself.

Good luck! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Jennifer,

I had a similar problem with the Holley on my Chevelle. Turned out to be the accelerator squirter nozzles were too large. Visit Edlebrock’s website to see if they have a tech section. They usually have very good information.

Good luck,
Bubba

Thank you!! I was looking at chevelles for
over 4 years before I was finally ready (mainly
my garage)

Can anyone tell me about how much a carb kit
(edelbrock) would run?? I'm hoping I can
get the accelerator pump seperate, but since
I am new to these awesome cars I really don't
know how much parts cost.

If that turns out to be the problem.

Thanks!
Jennifer

I'm going back to the basics here...but have you checked your air filter. I have found that most of my acceleration sluggishness cleared up when I put a quality air filter on my ride. Also, fresh plugs and new plug wires may help. Personally, I try to investigate and fix or replace small things before I go into something more serious like tearing down a carb. I hate doing advertisements, but I was pleasantly surprized by the increase in responsiveness I got out of simply putting on a K&N air filter.

http://www.partsamerica.com/SelectParts.asp?categorycode=3339Q&searchfor=Carburetor+Accelerator+Pumps

Is it o.k. to keep driving the car or is the
situation going to get worse or possibly
cause damage to the carb??

Jennifer

it won't cause any damage, if the pump is already bad. You'll have to replace the diaphragm anyways. I've driven around with MUCH worse damage smile.gif

IMO Edelbrock/Carter carbs are the best. You can get a Strip Kit from most local performance shops.
Heres what you can try to fix your stumble at take off. First..move the accelerator pump are to the highest spot on the rod. That will give you a bigger squirt of fuel when you take off. Second..Once you get a Strip Kit... There are vaccum springs in the top of the carb. Loosen the little Hex head screws that hold the little odd shaped plates on the carb. Under those are your mettering rods, and vac springs. Most come stock with Orange springs. Go to the next lower color, I believe its Blue. This will opperate your rods at a lower vaccum, and allow the fuel to flow quicker. If you need help, I can post a few pics to help explain. You can do anything to these carbs without taking them off the car...gotta love it! Good luck

Do not over-look the possibility of a vacuum leak around the intake manifold and the top end or between the carburator and the intake manifold. This would cause the car to have a dead spot during acceleration (much like having water in the distributor cap) I have had this problem before and it is usually the back rubber gasket between the manifold and the top-end of the engine that gets blown out.

All this info is great! Thanks to everyone
for posting!

I just found out after carefully searching
that there is a vac. leak up close to the
intake manifold. Whoever changed out the
carb and valve covers didn't connect up correctly and there is a hose/PVC valve left lose that was tucked carefully out of sight. Even w/ my father, myself and my husband checking everything over we never noticed it prior to purchasing the vehicle.

My father's mechanic who happens to own a 70
monte carlo is going to look at the car only
because this is out of my realm.

Anyone know why things would be left like that
especially if it hinders performance??
Also, Don't know if anyone has seen or heard of
this and what could be done to correct it.
I hope I don't have to go with diff. valve covers,
but this mechanic also said he could switch the
oil fill to the other side..???

Jennifer