Flathead getting Too much fuel

Hi guys,
I have been having a challenge with my motor running rich. My plugs are sooty, my motor smells like fuel while idling and when I change my oil, its really black and smells like fuel. I dialed in the carbs, rebuilt em from the ground up, jetted them to run leaner as well. My carter pump is set at just below 2psi and my floats are set a tad lower than spec.

I am running a 3x2 setup with MSD box, headers, mild cam, progressive linkage, but it is still (as I have been told all along) too much fuel for my Flathead. Gonna look into getting a 2x2 setup, but for now, Ill block off the 2 holes and run a single center 97. Will see what it does to my plugs and oil and go from there.

Sound reasonable? Any suggestions are much appreciated!!

 

use smaller jets

 

Maybe you're not getting too much fuel, but rather, not enough air.

 

I'm having the same problem this last several months. I set the choke completely back and it helped a little, still runs rich. Mine is mostly stock. Let me know what you find out I'll do same.

 

Yeah, I zip tied my choke completely back and it fixed it a little as well, but still stiiiinky.

 

Both of the above are possible...plus are they strombergs, or holley 94's ? If holley 94's check your power valves. I had to go to 4.5 power valves, and my car still wouldn't run right until I took off the brand new louvered filters and ran frogmouth scoops....

 

Single Holley 94, with open filter.

 

Try running without air cleaners for a bit. Sometimes they really choke up your air flow. Also power valves can be the problem. Good luck with it, both of the above solutions fixed my last problem with rich running.

 

Damn, I think I've just been thread-jacked!

Im running 3x2 97's.

 

Sorta

 

Nevermind the powervalve comments then, but do try without filters....if it runs better, try smaller main jets with your filters back on.

 

Had this issue with three 94s on my buddys 283. You have to take the power valves out of the two end cabs, use block offs.We put a 4.5 in center. Had the symptoms you mentioned, way too rich no matter what we did to idle mixture.

 

Show a Pic of Your Air Cleaners.

I just went thru a similar deal on my Daughters Y-Block with 3 97's Running Rich.

I went thru the Carb again, 2 Fuel Regulator's & it ended up being the Neet Chrome Louvered Air Filter wouldnt pass enough Air thru the Element.

Took the Element out & it Runs Fine.

Ya need to run the Carbs Progressive, If not already, 3 all the time is to much for the average Flathead.

 

Excess fuel pressure or a leaking float(s) will cause excess richness. That condition would be most noticeable at low loads and idle.

 

Are the end carbs closed at idle? My 3X2 set up worked best with the center idle screws out 3/4 turn, and the end carb screws out about 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Air cleaner restriction is a big part of the problem. Check the timming to see if it is right. Do you have a strong coil? If you have Champion spark plugs get rid of them and buy some that will fire all the mixture all of the time.

 

Stock or electric fuel pump? Can you check fuel pressure? 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 lbs max on '97's. If too high, get a good low pressure regulator. Summit has them-about $28. Have the carbs been rebuilt? Float levels checked?
With progressive linkage, you don't need idle mix on end carbs, try screwing the idle screws closed (Lightly). Set your inkage to open about 3/4 throttle. Does the gas drain out-leaky power valve. On 97's it's manually operated, not vacuum.
How much engine have you got? cu. in and cam?
Let us know what you find out.
RB