1980 Mix-and-Match carb problem
 

This is kind of a long story, but I think it boils down to a carb problem I'm having now. I hope some one can help.

I bought a 1980 a couple of months ago. It turned out to have a siezed engine. While I was getting around to doing a rebuild, I came across a 'running' 1st gen motor on Craig's List. I bought it because the price was 'stupid-low'. This engine is not a 1980. It is at least and 81 and the previous owner believes it is ported. (I don't know how to tell for sure without tearing it down) Anyway, here is where it get's interesting. The engine still had a carb on it. A totally stripped carb. No electronics, no 'hot start'. It doesn't even have a choke. It also has the 'rats nest' removed and all the other emissions crap including the air pump. Everything that should be capped off is. I put this engine in my car and dumped all the old gas, installed a new fuel filter and...no go.
Then I dumped some gas down the carb and it started right up. sputtered alot, but started. As soon as the gas ran out it died.

So, I decided to use the carb off the 'old' engine. This carb is completely stock. I installed it and tried again. No luck...nothing. So I pour some gas down it's throat and not only does it start, but the throttle works! no sputter. But, when the gas runs out of the carb...dead!

I know there is gas going into the carb. I used the main fuel line to drain the gas tank. (you pull that hose off the carb and turn the key to on...Gas comes out like a fire hose)

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Funny, cause i have the exact same issue as you....i have to pour gas down the carb as well, and the car sat for the winter. Gas is getting to my carb too and the bowls are @ 1/2 like they should be. So im doing a carb rebuild and hopefully that will fix it

Sounds like old gas in the tank. I would drain the tank with the drain plug on the bottom of the tank. You may have serious varnish and other gunk in the tank. The new gas may be contaminated by what's still in the tank.

IIRC, there's no drain plug on the SA's. At least I've never seen one one mine.

Yep, time to rebuild that carb.

Oops. I thought he said 82 instead of 80. My bad.

Thanks Guys! Which would you recommend rebuilding? The stock or the stripped?

What is the fuel level in the sight windows? There is one on the front of the carb, and one on the back (might need a small mirror and flashlight to see this one). The fuel should be at the halfway point in both windows. If fuel is there, then the needles are probably stuck. If no fuel, the for some reason the fuel is not entering the carb (fuel lines switched maybe?).

This could be something as simple as stuck needle valves. Try tapping on the top of the carb with a plastic hammer, or something similar that won't do any damage. Sometimes that will break them loose. Otherwise, pull the top part of the carb off (careful, the floats will come out with it) and check for binding.

However, a carb rebuild would cover this too, so that might be the route to go if tapping on it doesn't work. Good luck. :)


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