Edelbrock Carb Block off Plates

by Chase

Mar 12

Hey guys,

I have installed the same Edelbrock carb and have done everything the same as Jason’s carb and intake project. In the spring and summer months the car starts, runs and idles great! In the fall and winter months on a cold start, the car starts awful and wants to die until it warms up. I have to keep my foot on the throttle until it warms up or it will idle just terrible and try to die. Once it’s warm, it runs fantastic! Whats going on here? I was thinking of removing the block of plates in the intake. Any help, ideas, info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 

  • Jason Edge

    Did you set your choke? Is it wired up. Instead of using the mechanical choke, the Carter 1406 (600cfm) and 1411 (700 cfm and what I am running) uses an electric choke. It has to switched 12 volt current and you have to set it. You can set it a tad richer so it holds the choke on a bit longer in colder weather however I really never have to touch mine. As a side note, hopefully you removed the heat-riser butterfly, or replaced with a spacer as the entire left bank of the engine would run like crap (and could mechanically fail), if you blocked the exhaust port AND still using a functional heat riser.

    Mar 12

  • Chase

    Choke has 15v going to it with ignition on and nothing when off. I did adjust the choke a little richer. Pumped the gas 4 times. Butterfly was closed. Started the car and same result. Very low, very rough choking idle. I let it go for a moment and it died. I then pulled the throttle back and turn the chokes fast idle screw in higher. Once I did that the butterfly opened 1/8”. Started the car and it wanted to act the same again but I guess I turned the fast idle screw in a little too much because it was at a high idle and stayed like that until I revved it and came down to normal. Heat riser has been removed.

    Also, I have always had the strongest exhaust smell. You can’t drive it with your clothes needing a wash. No sound indicating an exhaust leak. Pretty sure the carb is not running rich. Why would this be? 

    Mar 13

  • Jason Edge

    Not sure on the carb as mine was pretty easy to set. I guess  you can always get one with a defective choke etc. As far as the exhaust smell, I would get it to an exhaust specialist ship and get it on the lift. You would think you would hear the source of a leak that strong but may be hard to hear from above. Could be very dangerous with a leak + compromised floorboard, etc.

    Mar 13

  • Chase

    So on your car, what would be the characteristics of a cold cold start? Should the butterfly be completely closed until it starts to warm up?

    Also, would a shop have those types of mufflers? They seem to be an odd size..

    Mar 13

  • Dennis P. DiBari

    Hi Chase,

         I have a Rochester with a regular heat choke and it could take a few tries before you get it perfect.  When cold, the butterfly should be closed, but when it starts it should crack open a bit - or it is too rich.  Mark you choke setting on the dial before you start it to have a reference point.  If it is too rich (too closed), then turn the dial to lean it just a bit and make sure your fast idle is set high enough to warm the engine.  Again, it may take 2-3 cold mornings to reset the choke dial to get it right.  When it warms up, the butterfly must be completely open so it kicks down.  Hope this helps!

    Dennis DiBari, Cottekill, NY

    Mar 13

  • Jason Edge

    Just to note, in addition to adjustment procedures for the length of time during which the choke will stay closed, there are also fine tuning adjustment procedures for the choke piston linkage and fast idle linkage.  In my 1411 manual they are on pages 8 and 9. If not comfortable with making these adjustments you might find an old school mechanic or someone familiar with setting up these very popular carbs.  I never had to adjust these linkage rods and only set the choke so that it stays closed for a short time before it opens up. The instructions mentions using the markings on the cap to note colder-richer or warmer-leaner settings. 

    Mar 14

  • Chase

    Thanks Jason and Dennis for the help! So I turned the fast idle down today and started cold. 4 pumps of gas and the butterfly was completely closed. Started much better and I let it sit with somewhat high idle. Come back after 5 minutes and the car was completely warmed up and butterfly was fully opened, but the idle never dropped back down until I revved it. Is this normal? I would have to kick the idle down every time? Seems like once warmed up it should drop automatically…..

    Mar 14

  • Jason Edge

    You generally have to tap the gas to get the high idle screw off the cam ridge that holds in on high idle.  Same thing when cranking a car, if you just turned the key if it shut down running hot and off hi idle, it is not going to just be on high idle position. Tapping the gas was part of cranking to get gas in the carb and to get off or on high idle. Not like todays cars where you just turn a key.

    Mar 14

  • Chase

    Ok so I have been playing with setting the choke for some time now with zero progress. On a cold morning start, it just wants to die. Idles so low and bad the car rocks back n forth. Butterfly is closed and I have played with different fast idle positions. Smokes with the strongest exhaust smell. (I have to make sure I’m wearing dirty clothes when starting the car). I took a video, I’m not sure if I am able to upload it to the site. But like I said before, once it warms up it runs great! No smoke. Still exhaust smell but not nearly as bad. Any ideas? What would happen if I removed the intake blocking plates?

    Mar 21

  • Jason Edge

    Wish I could be more help, but other than turning the chock cap just past where the butter fly closes, and the idle up screw were it releases after warming up for a couple of minutes that was about it for adjusting my 1411 Edelbrock. I did go back and do a minor change with the jets as noted in my carb help topic.

    Mar 21

  • Dennis P. DiBari

    Hi Chase,

         Everything Jason and I recommended to you is the correct way to adjust that choke.  As I said, it may take 2-3 tries to get it perfect.  The fast idle should allow the choked carburetor to heat up (900 to 1100 rpms?)  One tap after that and it should drop down.  Good luck again!

    Dennis DiBari

    Mar 22