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Smooshy
12-09-2003, 05:07 AM
Its annoying because I consider myself to be an ok mechanic and pretty good engine builder...

Just for Reference: AMC 360, comp 268H cam, high compression forged piston, Edelbrock intake, mallory ignition, various new carburators.

This problem as come and gone a couple times over the past few weeks but now seems to be here to stay, what is weird is the problem happens almost instantly. When it has cleared up the motor runs excelent.

The problem is the motor acts and sounds like it has waaaay retarded ign timing and is not very drivable due to surgin and backfiring. I also here some valve noise. The richer it runs the better but still not drivable. Above 2000 RPMs it mostly clears up. The vac is VERY low (about 8, 18.5 is normal for that motor)

Here is what I have so far
1. Absolutely no vacuum leaks, just trust me on that one.
2. Vac is 8
3. Compression is 145 cept on # 6 is a little under 140
4. #6 and #8 plugs look VERY lean while other plugs look rich
5. Timing is at 13 deg. and VERY consistant
6. When it ran right it had a valve tap in mornings but went away pretty fast and very slightly knock a couple times (sounds like main, not rods)

Things that are making this hard to diagnose are
1. Comes and goes quickly and motor runs excelent when it runs good
2. Very consistant timing

I have also swaped 3 news carbs I have had laying around and the conditions are the same. Comes and goes...

What you think smile.gif

Smooshy
12-09-2003, 05:08 AM
Oh yeah, my thoughts for now are, maybe I have some stuck valves??

tgreese
12-09-2003, 05:21 AM
Leak in the intake manifold?

Smooshy
12-09-2003, 05:34 AM
There are no vacuum leaks, I wish it was though, thats easy to fix :(

[ December 09, 2003, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Smooshy ]

badaboom
12-09-2003, 05:45 AM
Smooshy
Is the engines RPM during normal operation at
idle steadly or fluctuate about 150-300 rpm?
By the way I run the same cam. I am also getting about the same vaccum reading you are at idle.
My idea is possibly the ignition system losing spark or reasonable spark output.

Oh what have you found to be the best carburator for this application? I am about to get a SP2P
and am now starting to look at four barrel carbs.
Any ideas.

[ December 09, 2003, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: badaboom ]

Smooshy
12-09-2003, 07:01 AM
RPMs dont fluctuate too much unless i let the motor idle below 800, then it will surge rapidly around 300 rpms.

I really love Holleys, despite what some say, you CAN tune a regular Holley to run great off road. I have a 670 truck avenger that I am really impressed with, it does good on angles. I currently have a 650 double pumper on the problemed engine, it is very close to the 670 off road...

badaboom
12-09-2003, 11:19 AM
Smooshy
Had to ask.
With the 4 barrels you have mounted to your edelbrock intake manifold. How is/are they mounted?
What I mean by this, is the stock four AMC intake manifold has the insulator plate and the thick gasket which the carb mounts to. With yours, are you just mounting them pretty much just gasket and
carb bolt on to manifold? Just curious how you set yours up. Also is there any best way to mount the carb concerning use of the edelbrock intake manifold and the AMC 360? Thanks again. Good luck with fixing your jeeps issue, It will be interesting to see the resolution.

Smooshy
12-10-2003, 07:19 AM
Actually its really easy smile.gif there is not a spacer/adaptor like the stock intake, it just bolts directly to the manifold. Just get a square bore manifold to match your square bore holley carb. Stock AMC 4v is almost always spreadbore (qjet stuff)

Bob Barry
12-10-2003, 11:35 AM
Is this an EGR or non-EGR Performer intake?

How is the vacuum for your ignition advance routed?

Any smog equipment connected?

Do you have the stock exhaust with the stock heat-riser valve?

What jetting are you running on your Holley?

Is your crankcase pressurized when the engine is running?

What kind of choke are you running? If electric, which lead is it hooked up to?

Smooshy
12-11-2003, 12:22 AM
Non EGR, Vac advance is on low vac port on carb, no smog what so ever, headers and flows, 68 primaries on current carb, crank case pressure normal, manual choke no leads.

Remember this problem comes and goes instantly, pretty sure I have stuck intake valve(s) I have decided just to finish my 401, and tear the 360 down for rebuild. $$$ arg smile.gif