Carb Cleaner

Discussion in 'Small Block Tech' started by James66Skylark, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    I've never had a carb on a car so I am new to this. Car runs and drives really nice. From time to time when driving at 10-30miles I get a pulling feeling almost like its not getting enough gas.

    I'm in the process of doing other things to the car to get it's safety so I don't have the time for a full carb rebuild. I'm going to pick up some carb cleaner but have never used it before. I've read have the car running and spray it into the carb while opening the throttle manually. Is this the best way to do a quick clean for the time being?

    Thanks.
     
  2. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    What I would do is buy "seafoam" and put it in your fuel tank and let it run through the carb. You can also pour seafoam down the carb while its running at about 2000 RPM and it will help clean up the engine.

    The reason I do not suggest spraying carb cleaner on the carb while it is on the engine is because it may loosen up crap and it could fall into the carb.
     
  3. Stevem

    Stevem Well-Known Member

    That's a strange description, but what makes you think it's a Carb issue as it could be many other things.

    When a motor is not getting the needed fuel you will find yourself applying more throttle and the motor just does not respond, this is call a flat spot.
    Is this what you are trying to say?
     
  4. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Yes, that is correct.
     
  5. 67skylark27

    67skylark27 Brett Jaloszynski

    That carb is an easy rebuild, most likely your accelerator pump is not working 100%, you've mentioned
    the car may have sat for quite awhile. Eventually you will have to verify your gas tank is clean, the
    sock around the fuel pickup in the tank is clean, your fuel line is in good shape and the
    rubber is not collapsing or clogged, and your fuel pump is keeping up. Also, check the filter
    in the carb - when this gets clogged you can be left s.o.l. I plumbed in a clear filter before
    the fuel pump to catch anything and removed the filter in the carb.
     
    James66Skylark likes this.
  6. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Change the fuel filter. Sounds like your problem is different then a spray clean is going to fix
     
  7. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    If it is a Holley carb you can try and spray carb cleaner down the small air bleeds on top. It sounds like you have an accelerator pump shot issue. You might as well rebuild the carb if it has not had one in a while.

    If you still have a points system I would re check the dwell and the timing. Dwell first, then the timing and you can check the vac canister to make sure it is working too, along with the weights in the distributor and see if the move easily.

    Take a look at the plugs too as all this in the ignition and fuel can affect the dying issue you feel. Could be a dying fuel pump when it gets warmed up or a vapor lock issue coming from the tank not getting vent air. Try the simple easy things first.
     
  8. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Thanks for all the suggestions. According to the dealership the car sat for 20+ years. Not too sure how to tell that. I'm the third owner. Lots of parts look original.

    I'm just waiting for my guy to be free and he is going to rebuild my carb. It's a stock carb. I changed out all but one plug yesterday. I can't get one of the plugs out. I sprayed some luv and hopefully it will loosen up. The plugs themselves looked really old.

    The car hesitates or pulls from a stop once I try to get going. Sometimes it doesn't do it at all. It does however do it most times when I get on it.

    The fuel pump looks new and the fuel filter look clean, but I'm going to replace the filter anyways.

    Thanks again for all the responses. Carburetored cars are very new to me.
     
  9. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    But a lot easier to work on than todays cars, simple stuff.
     
  10. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Check the 40 plus year d rubber hoses by fuel pump and under car. My 65 while running you could see the porous in the rubber. Each pump would get dry then wet on outside of rubber.
     
  11. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Very true. That's why I went with something older over my 80's Vette. Changed the plugs today without any hassle. Literally nothing in the way as side from the plug wires.
     
  12. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Ok I will do that. under the drivers side by the rockers smells a bit of gas but that's when your right under the car by the Frame rail. Btw where is the fuel pump on these cars? My manual will hopefully be here next week.
     
  13. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    Fuel pump is drivers side under power steering. If your smelling fuel by door, check the fuel metal lines too. They run inside frame channel drivers side. Get under and look
     
  14. James66Skylark

    James66Skylark Well-Known Member

    Ok will do thanks.
     

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