Running Rich

[RayR]

Have only put about 300 miles on the clock since a full professional engine rebuild back in 2007 and just invested in refurbished carbs.

Whilst starting and tick over can easily be achieved the vehicle smells ‘rich’ even when off choke and at normal running temp or after weakening the mixture to its minimum by adjusting both the needles to mininimum

…..all seems to make little or no difference and plugs look black and sooty

I have to say the situation with the old carbs was similar but as the specialist who did the rebuild was never happy with them and recommended I change them I just have. Vehicle has been laid up for about 12 months without running…

2 questions please:-

Anybody got any ideas what else could be the cause for the exhaust to smell so rich?

Can anybody recommend a mobile car tuner who has proper experience on older carbs/V8 vehicles and covers or will travel to the SL4 area?

Thanks in advance.....

Ray

[V Mad]

Before you send carbs back as faulty:

Check that on each carb the enrichment lever is fully released when choke knob is pushed in.

Pump pressure: check that you do not have an aftermarket pump with high pressure (eg facet).

If you switch on ignition (engine off) does pump keep ticking (it should not if its an SU type).

Try emptying the carbs with engine running (pull inertia switch off) to clear any sediment from needle valves. Then push inertia switch on and restart engine as normal.

[Goldstar]

Hi Chris would a clicking fuel pump (engine off/ignition on) indicate a fault? My fuel pump does this (ill check the make) and my Holley arrangement is running rich and I wonder if the pump could be over fuelling it?

Cheers

Paul

[V Mad]

If it is an SU or similar, ie the type that cuts off when it reaches pressure then continuous ticking indicates that either there is a fuel leak or flooding, or maybe even a faulty pump. Normal is tick tick for a few seconds then stop, and only the occasional tick.

[RayR]

thanks Chris. Pretty sure the pump stops clicking and the enrichment levers are fully returned.

Will check the pump type and try emptying the carbs as you suggest tommorow and let you know.

regards

Ray

[Guest]

Sorry to hi-jack Ray, Paul I see you have a Holley - is it on a TV8 or RV8?

[Goldstar]

Sorry to hi-jack Ray, Paul I see you have a Holley - is it on a TV8 or RV8?

TV8, running richer than a banker on bonus day, tailpipes caked black, haven't taken plugs out yet. Any help/advice appreciated. Maybe by PM rather than me continuing to hijack the original thread or I could start another for Holley issues?

Thanks

Paul

[V Mad]

Paul, sometimes rich running on the Holleys are dure to high fuel level in the float chambers. This can easily be adjusted without dismantling by turning the adjuster nut on the top. Remove level plugs and adjust until fuel just comes out of the hole, then back off a bit if its too rich. Failing that, I would avoid anything involving dismantling; they can be a nightmare to fix.

[Goldstar]

Thanks Chris that's what I'll do. First with the current fuel pump and then with another if there still seems to be overfueling

Cheers

Paul