Holly Carb problem:

Started 78 Friday morning, backed out of garage and pulled to front yard- leaving the vet to Idle and warm-up I return to the garage to do some work on the 79. Minutes lated I realize that the 78 is not running, go turn off the key and return to garage. Friday evening go to put the 78 back in the garage &*(^%$) it will not idle at all. After getting it in the garage

 found it will only stay running above 2000 rpm. It ran fine this morning!

Checked fuel flow, removed, and blocked all vacuum lines (no change) maybe fouled plugs (plugs  Look Excellent) remove holly (shows no leak at intake)and replace the original rodchester (idles and runs perfect)

The holly is a realitively new carb but out of warrenty but it just won’t idle… what could/would Happen to cause this.

PS glad this didn’t happen during the last two weeks as I put 500 miles on it during cruis’n the coast>

Holleys are notorious for the needle valves failing.  I would check that first.  Next I would suspect a plugged idle circuit, but I don't think that would require 2000 RPM to overcome.  Just in case, rev the engine to about 4000 RPM, hold the throttle open, and slam the choke shut.  Open it just in time to keep from killing the engine.  Do it a few times.  The high vacuum of 4000 RPM can suck crud out of the passages.

And I agree with the suggestion to go back to the Qjet.  They are good carbs.

Larry

Larry, whenever I do stuff like that, people look at me like I'm NUTZ!! Glad to see I'm not the ONLY one...

I agree tho...prolly got some doo-doo up in there. Happens all the friggin time....I also agree with keepin the Quadrapuke...but that's just me...

[QUOTE=VetteSpecialties]Holleys are notorious for the needle valves failing.  I would check that first.  Next I would suspect a plugged idle circuit, but I don't think that would require 2000 RPM to overcome.  Just in case, rev the engine to about 4000 RPM, hold the throttle open, and slam the choke shut.  Open it just in time to keep from killing the engine.  Do it a few times.  The high vacuum of 4000 RPM can suck crud out of the passages.

And I agree with the suggestion to go back to the Qjet.  They are good carbs.

Larry
[/QUOTE]

When your vette is stalling out is there black smoke coming out the tailpipes? It could be flooding, you can try and take a hammer and lightly tap on the top to free up the possible dirt in the needle. If not use the hammer hard then remove and Q-jet it.

[QUOTE=acplus]When your vette is stalling out is there black smoke coming out the tailpipes? It could be flooding, you can try and take a hammer and lightly tap on the top to free up the possible dirt in the needle. If not use the hammer hard then remove and Q-jet it. [/QUOTE] Tried the light tap hammer thingy (must need a bigger hammer)

Maybe

It good to hear someone else besides me uses the high RPM choke trick.  Done it for years.  Soak it with a bit of carb cleaner first.

Yep...that trick really sucks...
The real trick is timing it so the engine doesn't completely bog down and die...makes it hard to re-start...
Also, for anyone contemplating this old timers trick, DO NOT put your face over the carb while doing this......don't ask...