302 engine problems

Kevin Chorniak · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 03:50 PM

I have a Ford 302 carburated engine in my toy. Recently it seems to have developed a problem.

It seems to be breaking up really bad, especially at higher RPM's. When I pull up to a stop sign, it does not initially want to idle. After giving a little gas for a few seconds, it seems to settle down and be fine.

I was just out for a ride and it was really bad for about 20 minutes. The last 20 minutes of the ride, it did not seem to break up as bad as at the beginning.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Kevin

G.R. · #2 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 06:09 PM

It sounds like a carb problem--If it is Holley carb it will be a love/hate relation. I recently dumped my Holley and replaced it with a Edlebrock 1405. I experienced some of the same symptoms you described with my 289 Hi-PO running a Holley.

Good Luck

G.R. · #3 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 06:21 PM

If it is a Holley it could be jets, accelerator pump springs, float levels, sticking choke if so equipped, vacuum leak, weak fuel pump delivery pressure, clogged/hampered air cleaner element(the oval Cobra style aren't all that good for air delivery) and a myriad of other ailments.

Can you tell I'm not enamored with the vaunted Holley

I spent close to $150 on rebuild kits, jets, etc. on my Holley--I put the Edlebrock on changed one set of metering rods and my car has never run better.

Bonos · #4 (**permalink**) 06-20-2004, 05:10 AM

Kevin ,
Before you get rid of that holley . Try adjusting the carb with a vacumn gage so as to get the most vacumn at idle and then recheck and adjust vacumn at 2800 rpm's.
*** Make sure your timing is set before carb ajust***

bonos

sharpe 1 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 01:58 PM

check the fuel filter?

joeg · #6 (**permalink**) 06-28-2004, 04:33 PM

Also check your floats. One may be sticking slightly open. Had same problem as you, it was a stuck float.
joeg

TonyMadrid · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 07:22 AM

One thing I have learned is that when most people perceive their problem to immediately be a carb problem, it usually is not. In most cases the problem is a vacuum problem.

Before turning to the carb as the source of the problem, first make sure that you don't have any vacuum leaks.

NeedAntiVenom · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 10:07 AM

Kevin,

I would start with the easy things:

1) check the float levels, make sure they aren't leaking.
2) PCV value - could be stuck open
3) Power valve too high, or blown, use 1/2 of idle vacuum.
4) If it only occurs under hard accel/braking consider jet extensions.
5) Clean the metering blocks

Holley QC is down the tubes - had a repeated stuck secondary float until I replaced the needle valve.

Street Stalker · #9 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 04:18 AM

not knowing your engine, whats your compression? maybe ur not using a high enough octane? 10:1 or higher i would be using at least 93 oct.

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 04:47 AM

Have you read the plugs yet??? If so, what did you find?? if not, then this is the first place I would start, as the plugs will tell you if your running too rich or too learn............

Bill S.

PatBuckley · #11 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 06:50 AM

G.R.

Wasn't your carb base not true?

Pat

Kevin Chorniak · #12 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 10:43 AM

I appreciate all of the input. I put a new distributor cap and rotor on and it seems to be running fine. I've been out for 3 test runs in the past 2 days...so far so good.

Thanks again,

KC

G.R. · #13 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PatBuckley

G.R.

Wasn't your carb base not true?

Pat

Pat the throttle body was warped, front to back and diagonally, evidently causing a vacuum leak even with double gaskets after the engine was warmed up at speed. The warpage was not visable to the eye or real noticable on a flat surface.