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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,065 Posts1,055,863 Members48,428 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | I am back in my own garage now trying to get my relatively fresh 235 to run as well as the cracked 216 it replaced. Today I changed the condenser and checked the points, after looking over the good old Rochester B yet again. Afterwards the 235 still runs as poorly as ever. I have described before that one of the troubling things this motor does is that if I get it running well without the aircleaner in place, the RPMs increase when I install the (brand new from Jim Carter) air cleaner. If on the other hand I have it idling well with everything in place and then remove the air cleaner the engine just about dies. So I checked today (with the air cleaner removed) for vacuum leaks by aiming lp gas around the carb, no response. Perhaps I am a little too careful with the amount of lp gas, but still I was expecting to find some enormous vacuum leak and the lp oughta work. I am really frustrated with this new engine. The compression is fine, it doesn't leak so much, I need a visit from one of you extreme posters. We got a spare bed... Karl
It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Hey HRL, a trip to Sweden. You in need of a good vacation?
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,776 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,776 | I'd love to, but I've been trying for a couple of years to figure out a way to accept an invitation to spend a couple of months in New Zealand, building two engines- - - -one for a 1925 Dodge 1 1/2-ton truck, and one for a race-prepared Toyota Supra!
The symptoms you're describing tell me the carb is running way too lean and adding the air cleaner causes enough intake restriction to richen it up. Try adjusting the idle mixture to run right with the air cleaner installed, then put LP down the carb throat when it's removed to see if the idle smooths out that way. If so, you need a less-restrictive air filter! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | A low float level can cause this also. They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | I'd love to visit Sweden also. Never made it that far north when I enjoyed my all expense paid Med cruise back in 76.
I don't know if I could do you any good though. Like HRL says you may be too lean. Have you tried to set the carb up with a vacuum gauge?
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | It'd be a shame if one of you made this long trip just to turn out the idle screw. I'll have to look into a vacuum gauge. In the meantime I'll play with the carb adjustments. I also need to clean out the gastank again. But the invitation stands. It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | oh no it wouldn't be a shame at all.
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 423 | I may have diagnosed the problem with the 235. I believe it has a virus, and unfortunately it seems to be contagious. My 1960 Volvo now has the same symptoms. I fear the contagion has to do with the careless exchange of essential fluids.
Many of you directed my attention to the fuel system, so when I found rust particles in the fuel filter I decided it was time to treat the gas tank. So I emptied the fuel, it turned out to be holding almost half a tank. Every gas can I could find is now filled. Since the Volvo was running on empty I poured 5 gallons of my Chevy gas into the Volvo. It now exhibits all the same symptoms as my rebuilt 235 has had - poor idling, backfiring on deceleration, stalling.
Believe it or not I am glad to have a diagnoses. I've let gas sit in the tank over a winter many times without problems, this is the first time I am the victim of bad gas.
I am going ahead with the POR 15 treatment. Maybe I'll have a smooth running truck soon. I also hope to burn up as much as possible of the bad gas in the Volvo before refilling.
Karl It may not be the easy way, but it is the Cowboy Way - Ranger Doug Beware of the stories you read or tell; subtly, at night, beneath the waters of consciousness, they are altering your world. - Ben Okri 1953 Chevy 3100 1960 Volvo PV 544 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe | | |
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