The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine won't idle

I just finished a rebuild on my 57 235 (Valve job, rings and inserts). I have the engine all back together and started it for the first time. It started well, good oil pressure and oil is flowing well to the rocker arms, but I can't get it to run without the choke fully closed. When I open the choke it dies. What gives? Is it a vacuum leak? The timing is ok. I had the valve job done by a good machine shop and adjusted the valves just for starting purposes, knowing that I need to adjust them again once the engine is hot. Anyone have any ideas. Three months without driving my truck is too long, can anyone help me?

For starters, get the engine hot any way that you can and re-adjust the valves. When I started my motor after a rebuild I noticed a huge difference in idle smoothness after I got the valves adjusted properly..

If after adjusting your valves with the engine at temperature it still will not idle, it could be a vacuum leak as you guessed. If it is not that then check your idle mixture screw. If you turn off the choke and the truck just dies with little to no hesitation it's too lean. If it takes a couple of seconds and you hear it 'drowning' with black smoke out the back you are too rich. Set your idle mix a little rich so you get good off idle response from the engine. A lean idle will stall at stop lights when you punch the gas to go. Hope this helps. Good luck!