Troubleshooting my FE

[eschaider]

What you have is a tuning problem and perhaps some parts that need replacement/adjustment, Brian.

Using a remove-and-replace strategy/approach to resolving the problem is going to be the long way home to an incomplete solution; although you might get lucky — you probably won't. When you are done, you will either still have the driveability problems or you might be modestly better off.

The one-shot fix is going to be challenging. You will need to find a tuner with a dyno who actually knows how to tune Holley carburetors. These are increasingly rare birds because most shops are geared to tuning EFI with a laptop.

When you find him, the ante at the poker table is likely a half-day on the dyno, some jets, air bleeds and other Holley-related paraphernalia, potentially an ignition clean-up, and a fair amount of money to pay for the dyno time and the tuning job. My guess, and it is only a guess, is you are around $800, depending on how the dyno time and tuning knowledge are priced. For the most part, the parts will be incidentals.

When you are done, you will have a very driveable engine with good street manners. Maintaining that engine personality over time should be relatively easy.

BTW if you have anything in the distributor that needs replacing you should throw out your distributor and buy one of these => https://progressionignition.com.

In addition to being infinitely tunable, it also has an electronic engine disabling capability that is activated from your cell phone and is impossible to override without replacing the distributor. The Progression toy will set you back another $570 or so, but it will work flawlessly and outlast you and the engine.

[CompFi]

Originally Posted by eschaider

What you have is a tuning problem and perhaps some parts that need replacement/adjustment, Brian.

Ed, no argument from me on the tuning problem. It is the solution that is proving elusive. Though Billy Andrews could have probably resolved this issue blind-folded....

But not as if I have been unwilling to throw $$ at it by deferring to experts. Once this issue began last Summer, I started to ask around for recommendations for a local shop. I was hesitant, but I followed the consensus feedback and took the car to a local shop claiming to specialize in 60s muscle cars. I didnt balk at the sizable quote for time on the dyno etc to tune the carb. Thing is, the shop never put the car on the dyno. They fiddled with the carb etc. I still got hit with a sizable bill, more than your estimate. And I didnt even get any time on the dyno.

So, believe me. I take your point. My incremental troubleshooting is far from ideal. At best, this is Plan C. Which is why I am so grateful to all here for the guidance. And patience. Hopefully something here also helps the next person that finds themselves in my situation.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by CompFi

Ed, no argument from me on the tuning problem. It is the solution that is proving elusive. Though Billy Andrews could have probably resolved this issue blind-folded....

But not as if I have been unwilling to throw $$ at it by deferring to experts. Once this issue began last Summer, I started to ask around for recommendations for a local shop. I was hesitant, but I followed the consensus feedback and took the car to a local shop claiming to specialize in 60s muscle cars. I didnt balk at the sizable quote for time on the dyno etc to tune the carb. Thing is, the shop never put the car on the dyno. They fiddled with the carb etc. I still got hit with a sizable bill, more than your estimate. And I didnt even get any time on the dyno.

So, believe me. I take your point. My incremental troubleshooting is far from ideal. At best, this is Plan C. Which is why I am so grateful to all here for the guidance. And patience. Hopefully something here also helps the next person that finds themselves in my situation.

I'm sorry, but I'm not surprised to hear that, Brian. The number of "tuners" who actually understand the process and how to go about it with a Holley is few and getting smaller at an alarming pace. I wish I could pull a rabbit out of a hat and say go here, but I don't have any credible suggestions.

There are a number of quite good engine builders who frequent the CC site here. I believe some of them have dynamometers they use to tune and provide a final QA check prior to shipping an engine to their customers.

The one I have in mind is Brent Lykins. I think, but don't know if he has a dyno. At the very least, he probably could get your Holley into the ballpark. If, as I suspect, he has or has access to a dyno, he would be my first suggestion for a proper resolution to the problem. He is quite good and has been very engaging and easy to talk to on the site here. I think he is a good bet and definitely worth a shot.

Here is a link to his website; https://lykinsmotorsports.com/engines

His website pics show finished engines being run on a dyno, so he does have or have access to one. His phone number is (502) 759-1431, which sounds like Northern Kentucky. That's quite a way from VT, but it might well be worth the effort. I am not sure you will find the knowledge to successfully address this problem in VT.

[patrickt]

You can go only go so far bench-setting a carb for a performance engine that has an intake manifold that doesn't even sit level. Your floats are never going to be right until you set them when they're on the engine. That's not a big deal. You used to be able to just pull into an Esso and they'd set them for you while you chatted with Mabel behind the counter....

[CompFi]

Originally Posted by eschaider

I'm sorry, but I'm not surprised to hear that, Brian.

Appreciate the insights here, Ed. And certainly seen many helpful recommendations from Brett here on the forum. And lots of happy customers too. In fact, I watched Brett's video on setting the curve for the distributor. Tremendously informative for someone like me. Sure do wish I could poke my head into his shop, I just might do that some day.

But, as Patrick points out, I need to tune my carb on my engine. And I will probably make some mistakes on my initial attempts. But good to know that I can rely on plenty of expertise here on the forum from folks willing to help. Again, greatly appreciated.