Ford 302 tuning problems

[UKjohnnycobra]

Hi I am hoping someone can help me.....

I have a newly rebuilt stock 302 in my Cobra with an Edelbrock1406 carb with electric choke. Overall the setup has less than 200 miles on it. It always seems to run rich, and always smells slightly of gasloine when it runs. i have leaned down the rods and jets one stage but its still the same. Also, (probably connected) the vacuum reading jumps all over the place when the engine is idling. On the road it seems to run OK with plenty of power, but the idle is erratic after its been at speed and the you take your foot completely off the gas Its timed at about 10 degrees and I have the vacuum advance and PCV connected. If I disconnect these it makes no difference. I have a stock distributor and coil etc

Anybody got any bright ideas??

Thanks in advance

John

[1bad66]

Might have a manifold leak......

[UKjohnnycobra]

Hi iBad....nice to know you are sitting by the screen witing to help....

I thought about that. Its a new manifold with all new gaskets. Is there a simple way to check?

[UKjohnnycobra]

that should say "waiting" BTW

[1bad66]

Well one way to do it is while it is running, spray some carb cleaner around the gasket areas and if the rpm's jump up then you have a leak at the gasket. If it is a new engine, I would check the torque on manifold bolts, sometimes they come loose.

[wtm442]

With a stock cam, the vacuum at idle should be fairly constant. If you do not find a vacuum leak, I'd look at the carb. Have you checked the float level? If its way too high, gas might be spilling into the throat giving you the rough idle and bouncing vaccuum reading.