I decided to put aftermarket headers on my stock 1980 (other than a racing beat intake). So i went through the entire process of ripping the emissions sytems out and putting the headers on (which are only wrapped at the moment) and now all of a sudden the car wont idle. It will idle with the choke out, and will run if you give it gas, but will die as soon as the rpm's drop passed 1000. Im only 17 at the moment and this is the first time i have worked with carburetors, and a rotary. Yes im new, but i have been trying to do my research. I have messed with the air and mixture adjustment screws and nothing happened. Could it possibly be a vacuum leak? Im kind of dead in the water at the moment so any suggestions are welcome and appreciated

 

Sounds like you have a massive vacuum leak. When making changes, do one at a time and test the results. If it fails, you know what caused the issue. You might try putting the rates nest back on. Removing it can cause more issues then having it on. I have to ask, why did you remove it?

 

i had to remove a lot to get the headers in there, now some of it wont bolt back on because the headers aret in the way. I figured it was all emissions crap that didnt really matter? Was i completely wrong? Should i maybe just throw everything back on? Thanks for the response by the way

 

get it to idle by holding the throttle steady and spray some carb cleaner around the engine bay. If the RPMs change, you have a vacuum leak.

 

The rates nest is on the top of the engine. Are you talking about the air pump? Removing the air pump isn't an issue.

 

sorry, not familiar with the term rates nest, i have taken the airpump off, the thermal reactor, and the heat exchanger. There was some sort of pipe that went dowm from the base of the carb and into the exhaust way back, that is currently removed to. Does the rates nest have something to do with the idle?
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ill give it a shot, thanks!