This is a novice engine question please excuse my ignorance, I have been fighting a edelbrock
600 cfm carb for about a month now trying to get
it to run correctly.I finally gave in and took it to a local mechanic and he charged me $125 to
set up the carb, timing,etc. When I got it back it was better but still not right the mechanic
said the secondaries were openning to soon
almost at idle speed?? He told me to get a new
carb. My question is can it be possible for a
carb to be bad beyond repair and does a carb play
that big of a role on how a engine performs?
Sorry for the long post.

I ran an Edelbrock out of the box for a couple of years. Never had one problem. Is it new or swap meet material? You can get a renew kit for it. It's not too hard to do, basically just one gasket. Have you checked Edelbrocks site to see if maybe you can download an instruction sheet on how to tune it? Mine came with a graph that said, if you want more power, run these springs/rods, if you want fuel economy, use these. I'm sure I still have it some where but I'm sure I'd never be able to find it. Ask me to look for something else and I'll trip over it! ;) :D
Another thing is the "Adaptor" plate. If you run an Edelbrock on a manifold that is drilled to accept both square and spread bore carbs, you need(so Edelbrock says) a plate under the carb to prevent vasuum leaks. I used it but I know others who didn't and didn't have a problem. It's less than $20 so I figured, if they said I should have it, I'll run it.

Good luck
Jeff

I hate to say it but that 'mechanic' charged you 125 dollars to prove to you that he doesn't know very much about carburetors. Edelbrock has a pretty good web site with specifications and tuning tips. Check there first and then do a search here for your carburetor model and Carter AFB. If you still have problems, check back in here, we'll get ya' fixed up.

Louie

Does that carb have vaccum or mechanical secondaries?

Originally posted by MyMightyMouse360:
Does that carb have vaccum or mechanical secondaries? Vacuum. Go to edelbrocks website, their carb manula for your carb with tuning tips, troubleshooting, etc is all right there.

Rebuild for that carb is somewheres in the neighborhood of 40 - 60 bucks, depending on where you buy. And I agree with Louie, anyone who charges 100+ bucks to time a mill and carb and then when they cant dial it in says that you need a new carb is outta whack. The carb might have issues but could just be rebuilt and tuned.

If the secondaries are opening too quick make changes to when they kick in (edelbrock makes a calibration kit w/jets, rods, springs, step up piston, etc) dont chuck it and buy a new carb unless you arent happy with the carb itself in tuned condition or the mill wants more / less CFM.

I just had ta butt in...

Hi, Louie,

pdq67