hard turn + idle = stalling?

excelguru · #1 (**permalink**) 11-25-2002, 10:54 AM

This is a carb tuning question. When making tight turns at idle (making a hard U-turn in town, for example), the engine will try to stall. Is it flooding? Is it starving? Does anyone else have this problem?

Keeping the revs up during the U-turn will obviously prevent this. If nobody's around I can always goose the throttle and make one of those "fast & fun" U-turns, but that's another story... I digress.

Is there a simple solution to this problem or is it simply a nature of the beast. I haven't tuned a carb since 1989 and even then I didn't know what I was doing.

Keith

GeorgiaSnake · #2 (**permalink**) 11-25-2002, 11:03 AM

Not sure about your stalling problems could be the floats - ask Bill

mikiec · #3 (**permalink**) 11-25-2002, 11:13 AM

Are you using an Edelbrock or Holley carb with side pivot floats?

If so these do have a problem with hard turns....

Mike

Roscoe · #4 (**permalink**) 11-25-2002, 01:01 PM

Keith,
I suggest you call the tech line for your carb. Best advice you can get. Rather than try a variety of suggestions they may just give you one quick fix.
Roscoe

jhaynie · #5 (**permalink**) 11-25-2002, 01:08 PM

Sounds like some problem with your power steering pump!!

excelguru · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 09:43 AM

I'll give Bill a buzz. I was just wondering if it was a common problem with a common solution. The carbs are 600 CFM Holleys (I have duals). It's more fun to just jab the noisy pedal and spin that sucker around.

John - Ya know, I've been wondering if my power steering was working... sure doesn't feel like it. Hey, did those pieces and parts work out for ya?

jhaynie · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 09:48 AM

Haven't had the chance to try the parts. I'll be glad when me and my Cobra reside under one roof!

Jerry Cowing · #8 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 06:21 PM

Keith,

I've got an identical setup as yours from So Auto and was having the same problem. I called Holley, I called Bill, I called Lewis, I listened to folks on the CobraClub web and did everything they suggested. Mr Fixit said to install whistle baffles in the vent holes of both carbs, Holley said to install screens over the vent holes in both carbs, then when that didn't work they said to add a rubber hose to connect the two vents and cut a new vent hole in the apex of the rubber hose. I adjusted the floats, idle mixture, etc. a dozen times. Still didn't fix it. However, it just kept getting worse. Finally, Lewis suggested I replace the power valves, bingo -- it doesn't stall now. Evidently, one of the times the engine backfired during a start it ruptured the power valves and the tear was progressively getting bigger. The screens probably helped also.

Good luck.

GeorgiaSnake · #9 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 06:42 PM

Keith - Just wondering here - How do you make a hard, tight turn with a big block?

Randy

excelguru · #10 (**permalink**) 11-27-2002, 07:39 AM

Jerry - Bingo! I remember it backfired a few months ago and that probably did it. After I get done stuffing myself with food this week, I'll look into that. I'm sure that's it.

Randy - The procedure for a hard, right-hand U-turn in a big block Cobra is as follows:

1. Come to stop (or a near stop).
2. Turn the wheel to the right.
3. Look for cops.
4. Stomp the gas.
5. Hang on.

Okay, this is actually the procedure for a 900-degree turn which will... uh... eventually point you in the right direction.

Keith

Slide · #11 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 08:06 AM

Keith, please let us know if the power valve fix works. I have the same problem and followed in Jer's footsteps but nothing changes for me. Thanks

GeorgiaSnake · #12 (**permalink**) 11-28-2002, 08:58 AM

Keith, your problem is you are driving on the wrong side of the road. Per you - To make a u-turn you stop - turn the wheels to the right and then gas it. A u-turn in Georgia is accomplished much the same way except we turn LEFT.

Happy Thanksgiving

Randy