tips for owning a car with a carburetor…?

[don ovdi' island]

Hello all. I'm aware this isn't an auto forum but i figure i can find some knowledgeable people here. All my life i've owned vehicles with the luxury of fuel injected engines. i'm currently looking at buying a car with a carburetor. I'm aware it's a bit different, so i'm asking for some tips of proper procedures, care, and maintenance for some one who has never owned nor driven any vehicle that was not electronic fuel injected. the car in question is a 1983 model V8.

 

i'm aware that fuel injected engines get better gas milage, and have less of a hassle starting in cold conditions. but this is a car i've been trying to buy for unlimited years. it is only available with a carbureted engine with the exception of the v-6 engine, which, i do not want.

 

thanks in advance.

[Svip]

It greatly depends on the manufacture and engine itself. The carburettors could be good or they could be bad. As an example (although unrelated), don't buy a French car with carburettors from 1985 and onward, because they filled them with crap to get around new legislation introduced in 1985.[0]

 

But some general advice, you should be ready to clean out the carburettors once in a wild, as water will likely gather in them. This can become a routine procedure once you get the hang of it. In warm periods, carburettors feel like no different than fuel injection. But during cold periods, you got to learn how the car's choke works. For instance, how much is too much? When do you drown the engine? And when does the engine cut out for too little?

 

These lessons take a little bit of time. But once you get the hang of it, it is not very difficult. In addition, an old car with carburettors is easier to maintain than one with fuel injection. Which may be beneficial if you are prepared to get under the bonnet.

 

Essentially, I wouldn't worry too much about a car with carburettors. It's a bit different initially, but soon it's just like any other car, that you just need to help along in some periods.

 

[0] For those thinking, 'but isn't your CX from 1985?' It is, but the engine and its carburettors are older.

[don ovdi' island]

thank you for the reply. so about setting the choke, how exactly is that done? it is pretty cold outside and that's what's got me a bit concerned. i do have some old heads who can assist me and help me get familiar with the vehicle, but i have to travel about 100 miles to get the car and bring it back myself. if it helps, the engine is a chevy 5.0 (305 V8). but i have no idea what kind of carb the current owner has on it.

[Killerdude]

They don't like the Cold, when it hits like -30/-40C you run into Carb icing and the things will run like total ass for a while until it warms up.

When starting the car, Give the gas pedal a good pump or two that'll be enough to get the motor going, It also helps to plug the block heater in, The motor will crank over a lot faster and start much quicker.

 

Depending how sh*t your carb is, you may also run into the problem of flooding, Basically, you throw it into neutral, floor it and slowly let off until the car starts running like it should.

You will also have to baby the motor for at least 5 to 10 minutes after getting it started to keep it running, keep it just above idle and it shouldn't stall.

 

You have a GM motor, The Choke is electronic and done for you. American cars stopped with Manual choke a very long time ago.

[don ovdi' island]

They don't like the Cold, when it hits like -30/-40C you run into Carb icing and the things will run like total ass for a while until it warms up.

When starting the car, Give the gas pedal a good pump or two that'll be enough to get the motor going, It also helps to plug the block heater in, The motor will crank over a lot faster and start much quicker.

 

Depending how sh*t your carb is, you may also run into the problem of flooding, Basically, you throw it into neutral, floor it and slowly let off until the car starts running like it should.

You will also have to baby the motor for at least 5 to 10 minutes after getting it started to keep it running, keep it just above idle and it shouldn't stall.

 

You have a GM motor, The Choke is electronic and done for you. American cars stopped with Manual choke a very long time ago.

 

thank you sir for the reply. should i pump the gas pedal while i turn the key, or before?

 

Also, how do i know if the carb is flooding the engine? high idle? or will the car bog down and die?

 

and define "baby the motor". does that mean let it idle, instead of driving it?

 

sorry, but i'm full of questions. I just want to be sure i dont screw up the car due to negligence. I'd rather know exactly what i'm doing.

 

also, it's not mine yet. I've been in contact with the seller for about a week. he's out of town at the moment. when he returns, i'll take the trip to look at the car and assuming he's not full of chit, and the car actually exists and is legit when i get there, then i will hand him cash and buy it.

[79'Blazer4x4]

 

They don't like the Cold, when it hits like -30/-40C you run into Carb icing and the things will run like total ass for a while until it warms up.

When starting the car, Give the gas pedal a good pump or two that'll be enough to get the motor going, It also helps to plug the block heater in, The motor will crank over a lot faster and start much quicker.

 

Depending how sh*t your carb is, you may also run into the problem of flooding, Basically, you throw it into neutral, floor it and slowly let off until the car starts running like it should.

You will also have to baby the motor for at least 5 to 10 minutes after getting it started to keep it running, keep it just above idle and it shouldn't stall.

 

You have a GM motor, The Choke is electronic and done for you. American cars stopped with Manual choke a very long time ago.

 

thank you sir for the reply. should i pump the gas pedal while i turn the key, or before?

 

Also, how do i know if the carb is flooding the engine? high idle? or will the car bog down and die?

 

and define "baby the motor". does that mean let it idle, instead of driving it?

 

sorry, but i'm full of questions. I just want to be sure i dont screw up the car due to negligence. I'd rather know exactly what i'm doing.

 

also, it's not mine yet. I've been in contact with the seller for about a week. he's out of town at the moment. when he returns, i'll take the trip to look at the car and assuming he's not full of chit, and the car actually exists and is legit when i get there, then i will hand him cash and buy it.

 

I only ever the pedal while turning the key if it's being really stubborn and pumping it before turning the key won't work.

 

From my experience if an engine is flooded it simply won't start. I'd assume if it got flooded while running it would bog down and die.

 

I believe by "baby the motor" he means keep it in neutral(or park if it's an auto) and keep it revved up just a little bit ti keep it from stalling out.

[Killerdude]

 

thank you sir for the reply. should i pump the gas pedal while i turn the key, or before?

 

Also, how do i know if the carb is flooding the engine? high idle? or will the car bog down and die?

 

and define "baby the motor". does that mean let it idle, instead of driving it?

 

sorry, but i'm full of questions. I just want to be sure i dont screw up the car due to negligence. I'd rather know exactly what i'm doing.

 

also, it's not mine yet. I've been in contact with the seller for about a week. he's out of town at the moment. when he returns, i'll take the trip to look at the car and assuming he's not full of chit, and the car actually exists and is legit when i get there, then i will hand him cash and buy it.

 

I usually let the engine crank over for ~10 seconds, if nothing happens, while turning the key, give it a pump or two and it usually will catch and run.

 

When a carb floods you will know it, It's unmistakable, The car will bog down, sounds like it's choking, stuttering, etc...

You SHOULDN'T have to worry about carb flooding though, unless the carb that's on there is bad.

 

"Babying the motor" Pretty much as Blazer said it, keep the car off Idle and don't drive it for a few minutes.

Edited January 12, 2015 by Killerdude8

[don ovdi' island]

OK. thanks for the help guys !!! in case you haven't noticed or you probably hasn't because its hard to show emotion thru the internet but I'm excited AF for this. i hope to god above this guy (the seller) isn't bullchitting. i've been trying for years to get this car and every time my efforts were futile. either:

the seller truly didnt want to sell the car.

the seller wanted some ridiculous price and was not willing to negotiate.

the seller stopped answering my calls when i got to where the car was "supposed" to be.

the seller neglected to tell about a fatal flaw/or was trying to pass off some junk car as a nice car.

i ended up having to spend the money on something else that was important/necessary for my family.

the purchase of the car wasn't feasible at the moment.

etc etc.

 

finally i have the money, and have found one that has piqued my interest. i've been in touch with the seller and he seems legit. so, wish me luck!

[79'Blazer4x4]

The joys of classified hunting. There are just way too many people who are either dishonest/hiding something, think their car is a Ferrari and want a fortune for it or something on your end doesn't allow you to make the purchase. My mom does a lot of buying and selling from classifieds and it's just plain ridiculous what some people try to pull.

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure I don't have to say as you will anyway but be sure to post pics if you get it, haha.

[don ovdi' island]

The joys of classified hunting. There are just way too many people who are either dishonest/hiding something, think their car is a Ferrari and want a fortune for it or something on your end doesn't allow you to make the purchase. My mom does a lot of buying and selling from classifieds and it's just plain ridiculous what some people try to pull.

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure I don't have to say as you will anyway but be sure to post pics if you get it, haha.

aint that the truth. dude.. dont even get me started lol. i could go on forever.

 

it's a caprice, so i dont think anyone else here is going to be too excited for that lol. but i've been wanting one forever and i finally found one that's clean and stock, not "done up" with loud candy paint or 30" rims.. its clean and original, just the way i like them. modifications at most will consist of dual flow master 40's.. tinted windows and a stereo. keeping it classy. i'll post a few pics when (if) i get it.

 

thanks again to you two guys. i appreciate it. for real.