Got me a Holley 465, bought it new last year, it worked fine last summer but now after winter storage it acts really strange. When cold and parked for a couple of days its hard to start but when I get it running it runs smooth and fine, but if I turn it off its impossible to start it again, completely dead, but if I pull the fuel line off and crank it starts almost immediatly and runs smooth as it should, until it runs out of fuel, I then reconnect the fuel line and the engine starts right up and runs fine, but if I turn it off its dead again. It seems like its flooding but I have removed the bowl screws and it obviously not flooding over, fuel is just up to the screw just as recommended. I have a mechanical fuel pump and I would be surprised If it pumps to high pressure, I drove it last summer no issues. Im gonna take it apart tomorrow but try here if anyone recognize the symptom and got any idea causing this
If it acts like it's flooding but the fuel level is correct, the only thing I can think of is the power valve. Fuel leaking through the PV can empty the bowl over night, causing the hard start, then flood when cut off hot. I don't know how disconnecting the fuel line would do anything except that it just allows some time for the flooding to clear.
Well the cold, hard to start is probably because the choke is disconnected. To get some idea of what is happening, you need to warm it up, take the air cleaner off, shut it off and look down the carb throat. You want to see if there is any fuel coming out of the venturi. It should be dry, no drips at all. If it is, I would open the rear throttle plates without touching the throttle (you don't want the accelerator pump to squirt any fuel). Look down the secondaries and see if you can see any fuel setting in the manifold. When it doesn't start, have you tried cranking with the throttle wide open? If it does, that points to a flooded intake. If it doesn't you my have a different problem.
Yes but when hot and driven 1 minute ago (running all fine) trying to start it again its completely dead unless removing the fuelline then it starts right up. Gonna check the fuel pressure
What do you do with fuel being pumped when the engine is running with the line disconnected? Here in Illinois , we've been on e10 for many years , I haven't messed with the Holley's on my car in 8-9 years , my old pickup , the q-jet hasn't been touched in about 20 years .
Acres: Sounds to me like you need to rebuild the carb as 10% ethanol gas will turn to "gel" when sitting for a long period (winter) due to condensation of water in the gas. It clogs up the internal carb p***ages. Of course, clean your external fuel filters also along with the one inside the carb inlet if you have one there. Best to rebuild the carb.
Have pulled both of the bowls, everyting looks like new, no clogs or corrotions, looks like its never been used
Ok now the engine starts, ive done 2 things. I checked the fuel pressure, I didnt think a mechanical pump pressure could cause any problems. It pumps 8.5 psi, I have a fuel pressure regulator mounted so I turned it down to 5.5 psi (I read an older thread here recommending that) after that the engine starts up without any problem. Also found out that the secondary needle is sticking, it wont let fuel to the bowl sometimes. Everything looks brand new, no corrotion clogs or ****. Ive probably have to get another needle, i just cant get it to not stick
How could both float sight plugs be right up to the bottom with a sticking needle and seat? (you said)? Lippy
Im not sure if i was wrong about the rear float bowl, I were stranded on a parkinglot with poor light when trying to get home, when checkin the front bowl there were gas up to the plug just as it should, when removing the rear i were pretty sure i could se there were fuel. The needle aint stickin hard, probably a tap on the bowl or a bump would have make it work again, so im not sure it really was empty on that parkinglot, but when I got home and took it apart it were empty It needs to be replaced to prevent future problems
You need to replace the needle float valves in both float bowls. Make sure your float level is correct also.
You need to go through the entire carb! Its not hard or that expensive. Continued guessing on this component or that will result in more aggravation, period!
It sounds like the float bowl is draining I know that they improved the power valve but even a bad gasket could cause a leak through the power valve system.
The power valve wasn't changed , the vacuum port that controls the PV had a one way restriction installed so a backfire (sneeze) wouldn't blow out the PV valve diagram .
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