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]

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.

[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? 

[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.