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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 51 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 51 | 1951 Chevy 3600 216 with Rochester Carb. Sat for 10 years and sooooooo close to daily driving.
I've made a few trips around the block, and on the first trip to work I made it 1/2 mile (after letting engine warm up for 15 minutes) before it sputtered and stalled on the side of the road. Had it in a shop (for MC replacement) with a mechanic who is familiar with older vehicles. He suggested the choke might have been stuck open. I drove it home - almost. This time it made 1 mile for sputter, stalling, and not restarting. (though it did about an hour later).
I just checked the manual choke and it seems to be opening and closing the valve at the top of the carb just fine, and just re-started. (its cold I it started with full choke then could idle fine at no choke a bite later). I was too nervous to drive it because I'm not sure what's causing it to stall. Do I just not know how to drive this thing, or could the carb be flooding or fuel pump not delivering properly?
Any evaluations I could do to eliminate problems?
Thanks
Rog
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 | (A) fuel filter possibly clogged
(B) fuel tank vent not functional
(C) capacitor or coil giving problems when hot
Guessing (C) then (B) with (A) less probable.
Jon.
Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,194 Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part | | Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,194 | If your truck sat for 10 years, how old is the fuel and did you clean the inside of the tank?
My 51 3100 cents through the gas cap. Is that how the 3600 does it as well?
I had a similar issue and I not only replaced the fuel tank (did to rust), the filter, and had to clean out my carb before functioned correctly again.
Chris | | | | | Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 51 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2019 Posts: 51 | I also should mention the truck will idle fine for a long while (30 minutes). | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Could be loose dirt in tank gets sucked into line after a while, then gets loose and floats around for a while.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | If you have not had the tank thoroughly cleaned or replaced with a new one, I strongly urge you to stop running the engine until you do. This is especially true if you have 10% ethanol in the tank now. This fuel is an excellent solvent for the 60 year old deposits stuck to the inside of the tank. Varnish will be dissolved and introduced into your fuel pump and carburetor and then into you valve guides. This can lock up your engine. Fuel filters will not prevent this.
While inspecting the inside of the tank you may find a bunch of rust at the bottom of the tank which it restricting the flow rate of fuel enough to cause starvation while driving, yet still allowing enough fuel through to allow idling.
Last edited by 52Carl; 11/05/2019 12:30 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,194 Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part | | Moderator: Interiors, Texas Bolters, Name that Part Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,194 | Carl,
That is exactly what happened with mine.
Chris | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | I burned some antique fuel in my IHC 345, bent 3 pushrods, be careful.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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