my 352 does not want to start after it has been run. it has a 4bbl 4100 autolight on it. IF I hold the gas pedal open it will crank for a few seconds then start. If the motor is cold no probelms. I have been told 1 that the motor is shot and 2 that it is a fuel line issue. I would rather it be the later of the two. Anyone else know? Is a carb rebuild in order? Thanks

 

Sounds like the floats aren't shutting down the fuel flow. While it's running it's burning it off but when it has shut down fuel is still being allowed into the bowl because the floats aren't shutting it down. Could be a float adjustment, worn parts, trashin the works. A rebuild may be the cheapest way to go- and it may be a simple fix.

 

I'd throw that autolite in the trash and get yerself a holley. Then again, if money is tight, and that's all you have to work with, yes buy a rebuilt kit and rebuild it. Doesn't take much but a little bit of time.

 

Throw it away?! If you rebuild it, it should be just fine.

If you do choose to throw it away, I'll take it off your hands!

 

No the motor isnt shot if it !! Like mentioned above..scrap that Autobulb carbatooter..and put a Holley on it..you have a float thats Either filling up with fuel and sinking to the bottom and letting raw gas run into the intake..Or there's a chunk of crap on the jet that keeping the needle valve open and dumping fuel into the intake.. But with that said ..It seems to me that the float is bad and filling up with fuel...Because it seem to start ok when it cold..Giving time for the Float to emty the fuel..and return to normal operation.. JMO

Good Luck!! and keep us posted!

Russ

 

Thanks I will start with a kit and go from there, maybe a holley but right now money is tight.

 

Sounds like the carb is percolating because of heat soak. Which means the heat from the motor (after shut off the engine heat increases because the coolant is not circulating) is moving into the carb and boiling the fuel. You might try a phenolic carb spacer or get a Mr. Gasket (or whoever) heat sheild set up made up of several aluminum plates spaces by gaskets. Worked for me on my F250 with a 460, which by the way has a Holley on it. I doubt very much if it is a float problem.

 

Take the Autolite out. Set it on fire. Explode it. Shoot anyone who walks across the ashes and shrapnel. Set up a Holley. Continue living life to the fullest.

Just random thoughts from a madman. Sorry.

Really though, if you keep the Ford carb, plan on revisiting any number of issues with it. It was NOT one of Ford's better ideas.

 

Same here. :)

Like Bear said it could be needing more "heat isolating".
But doggonit rebuild the carburetor anyway. :)

http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/choke.jpg

I've got a thick carburetor gasket under my hollow aluminum block (in that picture). Suspecting it of leaking "sideways" between its laminations i put a thin "stock spacer gasket" under it.
It'd been in there at least 20 years.
Anyway, the new thin gasket doesn't work! :)
The block is now getting hot.

I've got a new thick-one to replace it with.
When I get my valves adjusted I'll fool with that next. :)

Alvin in AZ

 

my holley was doing the same thing ending up rebuilding it to find that the neadle valves were trashed.

 

I don't wanna hurt anyones feelings, but when the engine is shut down the floats and needle and seats really have nothing to do anymore. Once the engine stops, the fuel pump stops and there is no fuel pressure so no way for fuel to get past the needle and seat, unless someone mounts the gas tank higher than the carb (not likely). So any flooding after the engine is off is from what ever fuel is still in the float bowl, already past the needle and seat. The fuel has several option to give you qrief. Either the the power valve is leaking (it should be causing you qrief when the motor is running) the carb has a crack in the body or base (again it should give you grief when running) or the heat soak overheats the carb causing the fuel to percolate (yep just like the coffe pot does) and that will cause fuel to rise up high enoughto spill into the throttle bores thru the vents. But the needle and seat can NOTcause the problem of flooding after engine shut down unless someone was dumb enough to install an electric fuel pump that has power to it all the time. Saw a beautiful 1962 vette burn to the ground from this stupidity once.