Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

[Kirk M.]

It finally stopped raining in Ohio long enough for me to make my annual trek to my hometown in Ohio. The trip is about 250 miles total. During my drive here are the things I encountered (some I fixed, others I have no idea):

1. Just put the proper primary metering block on my Holley earlier this spring and adjusted the idle screws with the car in garage. Didn't take long to realize the idle was off as the car stalled at the first stop light. Decided to hit the interstate on my way to Route 40 and let the car really warm up and see if the idle settled down. It didn't, so I pulled off Route 40 just east of Kirkersville, popped the air cleaner and re-adjusted the screws. Problem solved - purred like a kitten the rest of the way.

2. Eventually headed up Route 22 to Cadiz and then across Route 9 to St. Clairsville. Along Route 9, I encountered coal trucks running up steep hills very slow. The first one I encountered really slowed me down. As i crawled behind the truck up the hill, my car engine revved without me moving the gas pedal just for split second. Tach needle spike a bit and gas pedal wasn't responsive. It was like the transmission (I have an automatic) kicked out for a split second. A little further along on the same hill, it did it again but just more dramatically with the engine revving to maybe 3500 and no response in the gas pedal for just a split second or so (here I actually punched the gas pedal to see if it would re-engage). Didn't happen again the rest of the day. What might be the problem?

3. Heading back home, I was driving down Route 9 out of St. Clairsville heading for some gas before hitting I-70 and heading home. As I came down the hill and slowed to turn in the gas station, the car just quit and I had to roll in under no power. Started right back up and never did it again the rest of the trip. Weird. Any ideas??

4. When I got home and was cleaning all the bug crap off my car, I noticed that the DS front fender seemed lower than the PS. Got out a tape measure and measured all four wheels. Averaged around 26 1/4" in the rear and PS front, but the DS front was at 26". Pushed on the fenders and noticed that the DS front shock makes a hissing sound as it comes back up. This does not happen at any of the other shocks. Does this mean the seal is bad and hence the shock? Would that explain the 1/4" lower ride height? .....As a side note, when I was driving like a bat out of hell up Route 22, I pulled out to pass a couple of cars and trucks and noticed some side-to-side sway in the car that I really can't remember the car ever having. Could that also be related to the bum shock? I replaced an after-market idler arm on the car this winter for an original, would that have anything to do with it? Wouldn't think so, but wanted to mention it.

There you go, four items, one of them I fixed on the fly (pretty easy one at that). The other three I need some experienced car guys to comment on. Please help me out. Thanks.

Kirk

[Domenic T.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

Kirk,
On the rev thing it sounds like your trans was down shifting which would bring the RPM up.
The shocks do hiss and if they are bad you will see an oil around the seal area. + the springs determine the height, the shocks only squish fluid thru orfices.
Another thing is old fuel. I use a mixture of avgas in my cars especially when they sit. It seems that pump gas lasts as long as milk does.

On the trans down shifting, you can adjust that and dont forget to test the vacume modulator. It is on the passenger side of the trans at the rear. It has a rubber vacume line on it. slide the line off and put another line on it and suck on it to see if it has a leak. also if you see any red trans fluid when you pull the line off it is a problem.

[Michael J.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

3. Heading back home, I was driving down Route 9 out of St. Clairsville heading for some gas before hitting I-70 and heading home. As I came down the hill and slowed to turn in the gas station, the car just quit and I had to roll in under no power. Started right back up and never did it again the rest of the trip. Weird. Any ideas??
Kirk

When I took my 4150 Holley (new) out for the first spin this spring, it was stalling on downhill stops, or any quick stop from speeds over 30 mph. Seems like the car ran out of gas sort of behavior. Anyway, I called Pony Carbs (where I got it restored and refurbished) and they said to adjust the cathedral float, the big screw with a nut under it on the top front of the Holley. I loosened the screw, turned the nut 1/2 turn (180 degrees) counterclock wise and problem was solved. Apparently the downhill stop or quick stop uncovers the jets in the bowl and it is sucking air, I think. Anyway, something to try, good luck.

[Rich W.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

Kirk do you run stock points and coil??..the wandering on the pass could be something in the bushings..not sure if you replaced that stuff yet..which may explain the ride height being different. .the stalling could be the float setting..that bolt and nut deal on the upper bowl is set by removing the site plug and turning the nut untill gas is just starting to peak out..while running..

[Michael W.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

Kirk- most shocks are supposed to make a hissing sound. This is the oil being forced through an orifice which helps the damping effect. Possibly the other 'non-hissers' are either a different type or are worn out. In either case, shocks do not set the ride height of a car.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

Ok, so the shock is probably ok. It should be since it is relatively new replacement (1-2 years).

Now that everyone says it, I realize the spring sets the ride height. That being the case, what should I check for the 1/4" difference, or is that difference not worth worrying about?

Could be the float bowl on the primary although we never touched that. I could try adjusting the level. Just did it once, so maybe I will wait to see if problem persists.

Thanks everyone. Nothing major, as I assumed. Just "fun" little things to tinker with. Bit then again, it is a 67 corvette!

Kirk

[Russ S.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

A 1/4 inch difference is nothing. I would always be happy with that small diff. My experience has always been that every time I check a car height,if you then move the car you will get a different set of measurements.

[John H.]

Re: Need Some Debugging Help After First Spring Drive

Now that everyone says it, I realize the spring sets the ride height. That being the case, what should I check for the 1/4" difference, or is that difference not worth worrying about? Kirk

Kirk -

Your three identical measurements and one only 1/4" different put you at the head of the class in terms of ride height uniformity; factory tolerance was 1/2". Don't worry about it.