The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop SBC Stalls When Put in Gear

I figure this is simple, but there is a lot going on right now, so I thought I'd ask "the Brain Trust". I have a fresh rebuilt SBC with TH350, Rochester 4V carb, HEI Ignition. Idles fine and runs up nice, but when I put it in gear, it wants to stall out. If I give it gas while holding the brake it will let me go, but to hold full brake at idle in gear is not happening. With the Alan Grove brakets, I'm not able to see my timing marks, so I'm going by ear. Not how I would prefer it. Any suggestions. I've uped the idle, but something else is needed.

Hy Clint Lovell, Do you have a vacuum gauge? If you do you can check the reading of another similar sbc that you can verify the timing on, and then use the vacuum gauge to set your own timing, I've had to do this a few times when installing new engines in P vans. Also if the engine is new it may be a little tight yet and may settle down after a bit of running, hope that helps.

Clint:

I had a similar problem with a sbc in a '66 Chevy C10 with a 700R4 transmission. I had my mechanic adjust the kickdown cable and this seemed to make startup from a stand still after shifing into drive much smoother and prevented the stall I was experiencing. It helped me, maybe it will help you.

Tony

Mismatched stall converter maybe?

It might be a bad converter like Robin say,s. It could be a vacuum leak. Try running the vacuum advance on ported vacuum & set the idle stop up a little. You might need to richen the idle jets a little.

This is obvious question but I don't see it addressed here anywhere. What is the idle speed set for in neutral? Should be around 700 - 750 RPM or thereabouts so that when you put it in drive and the torque converter pulls down the idle you end up at around 550.