How many carb to intake gaskets do you have under the carb? Original set up required 6. I doubt that's the issue but worth to check.

 

A set of used light-gauge electric guitar strings makes an excellent shelf item for (very gently) probing narrow passages to loosen foreign bodies, sludge, that air alone might not clear ... along with judicious sprays from a can of Berkebile 2+2 solvent.

 

Good news! With the replacement class bowl installed and the float adjusted to the level recommended by the experts here on the forum, the engine was ready to start and run. Some choke was needed (as usual) for starting, but after a little warm up time, the choke could be taken off and normal idle speed achieved.

I drove the truck for about 15 miles today. The fact that the truck doesn't have any mirrors, doors, or insurance limited my distance traveled and my enjoyment of the driving experience. There was always a noticeable hesitation starting from a stop and after shifting--like maybe the accelerator pump was not working properly. There wasn't much power or speed either. I'm hoping the accelerator linkage didn't allow the throttle to open fully. About 45 mph was the top speed achieved today, but the engine did not seem to be working hard or revving very high. The transmission is a 4 speed with a 3.92 axle ratio--crash box of course. As I remember back when I was a teenager, this truck could go hwy speeds.

My friend that was following in his vehicle said there was a fair amount of smoke in the exhaust taking off from stops and going up hills. The oil filler cap was smoking pretty good too when we reached our destination. I know these are not good signs, but the engine does run quiet and smooth.

The replacement bowl I got from the scrapyard for $25 came with a carburetor. The numbers are: 6R 931 B. Does anyone know if this carb will fit a 52' 215cid? Thanks for all the interest and help.

 

I see new piston rings and bearings in your future. If your distributor has the vacuum advance on it a lot of times the diaphram leaks so you are not getting good advance. You can actually suck on the tube and using your tongue tell if you have a leak. Change it if have it and it looks old and you might see better pickup. Sounds like you are close to having a good driver.

JB

 

JB, thanks for the tip on the vacuum advance. I'll be sure to check that out. My truck sat for a long time and rubber parts did not fare well e.g. tires, belts, hoses, fuel pump diaphragms, wheel cylinders, rubber fuel and brake lines, etc. Several posters suspected a vacuum leak as a possible cause for my engine's inability to idle properly. Adjusting the float and cleaning the jet seemed to correct the idle, but there still might very well be a leak as you and others suggest.

I am sure hoping to run my truck for a little while before spending money on the engine, but you are right about the rings and bearings--they are weak for sure--80,800 miles--and not gentle "old lady" miles either. As a CG truck, it was driven hard by aggressive young men in a hurry. As I remember, it was pretty rusted out and worn out when my Dad brought it home in 1958.

 

Ross, can you explain how loose manifold bolts would cause this problem?

 

If they are loose, they may allow an air leak.

A friend with an old Chevy (like a '28 IIRC) had a very similar problem. It turned out some of the bolts into the head were a bit too long, and were bottoming out before tightening the manifold completely. Shortened the bolts 1/8" and no more problems. He chased that problem for months, admittedly a strange case.

 

Just a little update for this thread. My truck has been out of winter storage for several weeks now. I've been able to get in about 200 miles of driving. With the float set properly and some fooling with the carburetor adjustment, the hesitation problems I was experiencing are mostly gone now. I worked on the accelerator linkage, and that works better now too. I forgot to check the vac advance--but will do so soon. Maybe with a new vac advance, my engine's throttle response would be even better.

I've been averaging only about 10 mpg, but that is with a fair amount of idling time. I've used about 1 1/2 qts. of oil, and the plugs are pretty black. My new top speed is 55! It would go faster, but I don't want anything to break--45-50 seems to be a comfortable cruising speed. I do have doors on now and at least one mirror, so driving is getting more fun. Shifting the crash box is coming back to me too.

There is still lots to do. My next goal is to finish the body work and then paint. It needs to warm up a little so I can work comfortably outside.