38 problems

[mephi]

Finally got my 38 installed. Now it just doesn't run well. It is like 20 degrees F out so like -7 C. I started it up, but it missed like crazy and blew out crazy large amounts of black smoke and barely ran.

This is at idle before the choke opened up all the way. I did install an in-line fuel pressure gage, and that is scaring me with a reading of roughly below 1 psi. I would think that would cause a lean condition though. Filters are less than 2 months old.

My jets are currently:

Idle: 0.50
main: 1.50
air correction 2.10
pump .70
F50 emulsion

I know the main and pump are both a little high, but at idle that shouldn't really matter as far as I understand. My guess is my fuel pump is fucked and its causing some carb issues, but I just wanted to make sure.

Oh, any issues hooking up the new electric choke to the wire that was plugged into the old choke and the stock carb?

[mephi]

Well, I got the thing running at idle and tuned for the way it is running. Seems that the choke just randomly closes and opens by itself though. I got out of the driveway, drove about half a block, and suddenly the rpm shot up to 5500ish. Killed the ignition. Eventually it died back down and shut off. I went up front with a screwdriver and adjusted the cold idle speed screw down, and no problems.

Until I tried to start it. No go. The choke had closed back up and the thing wouldn't start. The idle has to be adjusted way up in order for it to start with the choke closed. as soon as it opens, the engine idle skyrockets. At this point I managed to step in what appeared to be a communal doggy toilet. Yay dog shit. Lots of it.

I jammed the choke open with my trusty screwdriver and the thing started right back up. Drove back to the driveway, thinking to myself, hey I don't have to push this thing back home up hill! Then it died again. I have a long driveway with a very slight incline. Took about 10 minutes.

Now I have it back home and I am seriously thinking about removing the choke plates. Damn thing kills the engine. Agh!! Carburetors!!!

*Edit*
Had to boost the idle jets up to .55

[turabaka]

if it's an electric choke you should be able to adjust it by unscrewing the 3 screws holding it on, and rotating the plastic assembly. Although to be honest I got tired of trying to get it perfectly aligned every time the weather changed, so I just ended up going for a manual choke.

[mephi]

I just removed the plates for now. I'll probably go manual too. Seems to work ok though. I'm going to pick up an after market pump tomorrow, but until then, I'll just deal with it as is.

Do you know anything about the stock choke wire? where does the power come from, and is it switched or regulated in any way?

[turabaka]

I just removed the plates for now. I'll probably go manual too. Seems to work ok though. I'm going to pick up an after market pump tomorrow, but until then, I'll just deal with it as is.

Do you know anything about the stock choke wire? where does the power come from, and is it switched or regulated in any way?

As far as I know it should be getting constant power as soon as you turn on the car. Basically it's just heating up a coil that pushes the choke open as soon as it's hot enough.

[mephi]

Car runs mostly ok. A little bogging around 3000, but I'm guessing that 's because of the mains and the low fuel pressure. Getting new mains and pump jets on Monday. New fuel pump should arrive on Tuesday.

The choke is still a problem though. The thing kinda randomly opens and closes still, so I was wondering where I could find a manual choke cable for this thing. I checked Carbs Unlimited, but they only sell carbs with it already installed. I really don't mind sitting for a little while after a cold start so the cable wouldn't be a problem for me, especially since I have to wait for the smoke to clear anyway.

[turabaka]

Try ebay. That's where I got mine from.