Edelbrock Carb Block off Plates

[Chase]

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 

[Chase]

Thanks Dennis and Jason for the responses. I’m very interested in removing the block off plates to see any difference. Maybe I just have a defective carb.

[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

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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…..

[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. 

[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

[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..

[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.