Topic: !st start in 2 years..problems
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland)
Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp
Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327
Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp
White 79 Coupe L 82 auto
Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp
35th Anniv '88 vette
Due to health problems I have not been able to drive my Corvettes since I stored them for the winter in November 2006...so none of my C3's have even been started in 2007 or 2008.... BUMMER....
Anyhow I am "almost" ready to drive again.. started driving my sons automatic Grand Cherokee 3 weeks ago and have not wrecked the darn thing yet because it has a BIG brake pedel that I can not miss with my foot... hopfully I may have all the feeling in my feet back in a month or so then I can drive a car with 3 pedels on the floor...
Anyway... 4 of teh cars started right up and ran fine about month ago... but my 72 smoked, bucked, shaked rattled and rolled stumbled etc.. I had a very hard time keeping it running... never could get it to idle as the garage was kind of "smokey" and I thought it best to get out of dodge and breath some fresh air...
I am a stuborn old fart and I got top get out there and figure this thing out...My initial thoughts was that the Float in the carb may be stuck.. BUT agian it has been many moons since I have had a similar problem with an engine ....
Anyone out there who can give me some things to look at besides the carb ..or before I even mess with the carb...
Rather depressing the last 2 years not being able to drive the cars and I hopefully I can still get them out for a few short drives this year ...
Bob G
Anyhow I am "almost" ready to drive again.. started driving my sons automatic Grand Cherokee 3 weeks ago and have not wrecked the darn thing yet because it has a BIG brake pedel that I can not miss with my foot... hopfully I may have all the feeling in my feet back in a month or so then I can drive a car with 3 pedels on the floor...
Anyway... 4 of teh cars started right up and ran fine about month ago... but my 72 smoked, bucked, shaked rattled and rolled stumbled etc.. I had a very hard time keeping it running... never could get it to idle as the garage was kind of "smokey" and I thought it best to get out of dodge and breath some fresh air...
I am a stuborn old fart and I got top get out there and figure this thing out...My initial thoughts was that the Float in the carb may be stuck.. BUT agian it has been many moons since I have had a similar problem with an engine ....
Anyone out there who can give me some things to look at besides the carb ..or before I even mess with the carb...
Rather depressing the last 2 years not being able to drive the cars and I hopefully I can still get them out for a few short drives this year ...
Bob G
Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
Bob,
Just a guess, Is it possible you have that blasted Ethanol in your fuel/ tank.. I know some folks that have lot's of trouble leaving it sit for long period of time.. screwing up carbs etc...
Lifetime Member #86
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"

(click to see a bigger image)
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"

(click to see a bigger image)
Bob, you have a way with words (stuborn old fart). Sorry that things have been bad for the past years. Now I would try some of the old carburator/injector cleaner; http://www.pennzoil-quakerstate.com/products/gumout.htm I would also change out the plugs, which are probably fouled. I hope things work out for you. Take care, Larry

corvette440hp
Bob, I have to ask: Every one of your cars has a satilite reciever dish? So how is the reception in the vettes? I'm just kidding.

corvette440hp

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Glad to hear you're starting to be able to get around again, Bob!
I'd have to think it is a fuel issue, too. Bad fuel. that is.
However, it's possible that the float on the '72 got stuck while sitting. They'll do that sometimes, as the floats are made of a resin-type material. Once they soak up enough fuel, AND sit for long periods, they swell up, which causes them to stick. I had this exact issue on the '74 before I ever bought it(I built the carb for the guy I bought it from). The float was so swelled up I had to pry it out with a screwdriver. The car would start and run....barely.
I think yer gonna wind up pulling the carb...

I'd have to think it is a fuel issue, too. Bad fuel. that is.
However, it's possible that the float on the '72 got stuck while sitting. They'll do that sometimes, as the floats are made of a resin-type material. Once they soak up enough fuel, AND sit for long periods, they swell up, which causes them to stick. I had this exact issue on the '74 before I ever bought it(I built the carb for the guy I bought it from). The float was so swelled up I had to pry it out with a screwdriver. The car would start and run....barely.
I think yer gonna wind up pulling the carb...

Joel Adams
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland)
Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp
Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327
Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp
White 79 Coupe L 82 auto
Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp
35th Anniv '88 vette
Thanks guys....
Since I have to push the car outside and my legs ain't that good yet I'm getting help over on Thursday .. Hoping its as simple as the float...But I do intend to run some "gum out" or whatever that stuff was vcalled that I last used in the 1950's... I do have a spare carb in the garage ..but dumb me never tagged it so I have no idea now if it was working when I pulled it or even why I pulled it and I know the spare is a Quadrajet the 72 is running a Holley ..figures !
Will let you guys...know how I make out...
Thanks again
Bob
Since I have to push the car outside and my legs ain't that good yet I'm getting help over on Thursday .. Hoping its as simple as the float...But I do intend to run some "gum out" or whatever that stuff was vcalled that I last used in the 1950's... I do have a spare carb in the garage ..but dumb me never tagged it so I have no idea now if it was working when I pulled it or even why I pulled it and I know the spare is a Quadrajet the 72 is running a Holley ..figures !
Will let you guys...know how I make out...
Thanks again
Bob
Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes
Click on any image for larger view!

Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 2/20/2003
Posts: 548
Vette(s): Frederick County Corvette Club (Maryland)
Tan 64 365 Hp Conv 4 sp
Red 72 4 sp Conv ..running a '68 327
Blue 76 Coupe L 48 4 sp
White 79 Coupe L 82 auto
Silver 98 Conv, 6 sp
35th Anniv '88 vette
Kyster...
White smoke...and plenty of it...
KDaddy:
NO Stabilizer...I'm too cheap...
Corvette440 hp./...
what reception ??? none of my cars except the C5 even has the Radio hooked up....I prefer the sound of the exhaust...
Bob G.
White smoke...and plenty of it...
KDaddy:
NO Stabilizer...I'm too cheap...
Corvette440 hp./...
what reception ??? none of my cars except the C5 even has the Radio hooked up....I prefer the sound of the exhaust...
Bob G.
Bob
64,72 & 98 Corvette Ragtops
76 & 79 & qa 88 ANC Corvette Coupes
Click on any image for larger view!

Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
[QUOTE=corvette440hp]Bob, I have to ask: Every one of your cars has a satilite reciever dish? So how is the reception in the vettes? I'm just kidding.
[/QUOTE]

Now that's funny... i missed it totally.. good eyes corvette440hp..
Good luck Bob, and great hearing you can start getting around again... let us know how it works out..
Lifetime Member #86
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"

(click to see a bigger image)
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"

(click to see a bigger image)
in Forum: C3 Engines
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