Just put everything back in my 81 and after a few adjustments it was sounding beautiful and idled at 700-800. Then I go to drive her today and it started right up (always has) and the idle was now around 450-550 and shaking like it was about to die but never did. What would cause it to change so much over night?

 

So you know i've checked for vac leaks, anti-burn hose problem, and will check plugs here tonight. Is there anything else that someone would recommend? Besides timing.

 

whatever you touched last, should be the stuff you look at first

 

Wow, that that was deep. That is the thing though, I didn't touch anything. I've decided i'm just going to do a rats nest removal this week and go from there.

 

And compound the problem...... I'm all for removal of the rat's nest, but not as a way to fix an unknown issue.

Take a look at Sterling's website. He's got great sections on tuning idle, troubleshooting, and all sorts of other things (for stock Nikki carbs as well as Sterling carbs). Great source of information. Sounds to me like you need to re-tune your idle speed and mixture.

http://sterlingmetalworks.com/



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Sarcasm and ironic commentary is my purview, not your's. (I can't gofast) There may have been something sticking, reset idle and check timing before tearing the rat's nest out.
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"Just put everything back in my 81 and after a few adjustments it was sounding beautiful"

not trying to be insulting, but if you choose to take it that way.... i have played with cars for a long time, in my experience if you just worked on something, and the next day its not right, first thing to do is look over what you just did.

 

Oh I know and I am. And that comment was said with a smile on my face! Probably because I just got done watching a stand up with Jeff Foxworthy, "Here's your sign." Oh I know very well that I am a virgin at this and that is why I turn to this awesome site. Sorry if I rubbed anyone the wrong way!

 

No, it should now be "I can't go anywhere." I need to adjust my floats, they were hanging around 3/4 but never had an issue till now. Also i just noticed a small gas leak coming from the front glass bowl (I think). Oh not to mention that my radiator fix just unfixed itself. So with that all being said, yeah............I'm a NEWBIE.

 

"Here's your sign" is Bill Engvall's schtick, not Jeff Foxworthy.

 

I stand corrected, Jeff does "You might be a redneck." I still think Larry the Cable Guy is one of the best.

 

Personally I like "You can't fix 'stupid'.", by Ron White.
Last thing in the world a newbie should be doing to correct an idle problem (or any other carb problem) is messing with float levels.

 

...but they're so much FUN to play with!

 

haha, too bad i didnt just watch that, oops....

 

may be a fucked up fuel pump or diry fuel filter if ur car has been sitting....gas turns gunky after awhile...i had to to professionally clean my gas tank

 

So how are you going to learn if you never tackle anything yourself? And the reason I have to adjust the floats is because I played with them when I did a rebuilt. They are fun to play with!

Also I was wondering if anyone had a picture they could post a pic of their mech secondaries mod.

 

Sterling you talked about on your web site about different types of jets to achieve a street or track performance. Would I be able to buy a few jets from you directly? And if not where is the best place to get them?

 

Those jet configurations are baselines for modded Nikkis that flow nearly 50% more than stock. Sticking them in a stocker is going to have you running rich up top.
Holley standard fuel jets (10/32 threaded 1/4 inch crown), also used as Dominator air bleeds, I believe, are available almost everywhere.
Stock sizes in the Nikki are .92/3mm (.036) and 1.6mm (.063). Even a modded Nikki will choke on an .067 up top, so leave the secondary fuel jets alone. I wouldn't go past .046 for the primary.

 

Thanks