Notices

272 carburetion problem.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 11, 2008 | 07:30 PM
  #1  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
272 carburetion problem.

I couldn't decide whether to post this in the y block forum or in the fuel forum. I figured I would try here first.

My truck (41 ford with a 272) loads up with fuel after a few minutes of driving, it will eventually flood out completely and die. I haven't taken the carb off yet, but it seems like it just flattens out (as if it needs secondary jets, or if they are there that they aren't working). There just isn't any power in it.

The carb I'm using is a 2300 Holley 2 barrel. It's never really worked right, and I bought the truck with this setup. I'm preparing to rebuild the carb this week, but before I dump any money into it, I wondered if anyone has used this carb on the y block, and if I should just replace it. I have a four barrel manifold as well, but it's the older small bolt pattern four, and I don't have a carb that fits that manifold.

I'm not opposed to the 2 barrel, if it will work correctly. I just don't want to put money and time into it only to find out that it just isn't a good carb for this motor.

I guess I'm just hoping to hear some good news about this carb setup, before I go forward with the rebuild.

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 08:23 AM
  #2  
THX1138-Z's Avatar
THX1138-Z
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Either the power valve or the gasket under the power valve would be the first place to check. Be sure the power valve gasket doesn't slip to the side when installing the power valve or fuel will just go straight to the engine. The 2300 Holley was original equipment on many of the pickup engines.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 08:48 AM
  #3  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
I thought the 2100 Holley was the standard equipment for these motors.

As long as it will work I'll go with rebuilding it. With gas going up, I probably don't want the four barrel anyway.

Someone else recommended adding a spacer between the carb and intake. Any thoughts on whether this would help?

Up until now, the truck has had the wrong gears in it. It topped out at fifty. I've added new gears, and of course now that it's more drivable , I want to drive it more. It does sound pretty cool.

Thanks for your help.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 10:51 AM
  #4  
46yblock's Avatar
46yblock
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
Fix, 292s were supplied with Autolite 2100 2V carbs from the late 50's to 1964, and they are very similar to the Holley 2300. I used a 2100 on my 292 for the last couple years and it worked very well. 2100s for truck 292s flowed 248 cfm.
Aside from needing rebuilt, your 2300 may be in the 350 cfm range, which would be too much for the 272.
The 2100 with 1.02 venturi (248 cfm) would give you better throttle response than the 2300 I think, and as good as you can get in gas mileage if in good order. A downside is that the peak rpm on the 2100 will be close to 4000. Also, they are very easy to rebuild.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 05:28 PM
  #5  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
Supposedly the motor has been bored to 312. But I seriously doubt that this ever happened. It did however get at least new pistons and rings when the rebuild was supposed to have occurred (I've seen the reciepts).

If I had a 2100 layin' around I'd probably try both to see which works best, but I only have the one on it. I'm going to pick up a rebuild kit tomorrow. If i can't get it to work well enough to drive, I'll have to look for other options, and that 2100 might sound like a better deal then. Right now, I'm hoping that it's just not working correctly or really badly adjusted.

Thanks for the help. I at least know that the carb should work. Now I get to figure out why it isn't.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 06:42 PM
  #6  
46yblock's Avatar
46yblock
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
Hope it works out well. If you ever do go looking for a 2100, they came in many different configurations. What you want is one with the number 102 cast into the body inside a circle. The car versions were automatic choke, and the trucks manual. It is easy and inexpensive to convert from auto to manual.
 
Reply
Old May 12, 2008 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
Sam_Fear's Avatar
Sam_Fear
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 2
From: Davenport, IA
I've heard over and over that if the motor has backfired it probably blew the power valve. Also that power valve is known not to seal well. Float needle not seating completely maybe?
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2008 | 09:40 AM
  #8  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
As far as I know the carb has never been rebuilt.

I've probably put enough time into this truck to have just changed the engine out by now. But the y-block just looks so cool in there.

I took the carb off this morning. I'm going to get parts in an hour or so. It actually looks pretty clean (on the outside). The power valve looks to be leaking. It's pretty wet under there. Kind of surprised it hasn't caught fire before.


Thanks for all the help.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old May 15, 2008 | 03:53 PM
  #9  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
Well, It works again. Thanks for all the help.
Turns out the power valve was stuck. The new one works much easier, and the truck runs great.


Thanks again for the help.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 06:39 PM
  #10  
46yblock's Avatar
46yblock
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
Good job. They say that after years, dont know how many, the power vavles get brittle and start malfunctioning due to age.

Glad to hear you are still running the Y!
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 06:52 PM
  #11  
Fix's Avatar
Fix
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Charleston Illinois
Originally Posted by 46yblock
Good job. They say that after years, dont know how many, the power vavles get brittle and start malfunctioning due to age.

Glad to hear you are still running the Y!
To tell you the truth, I did consider changing it out. This motor had just about everything wrong when I got it. Old style distributor, Head gaskets in wrong (overheated something fierce), The exhaust manifolds are still a little weird and I would like to find headers, it had at least four vacuum leaks, and a poorly modified oil pan to clear the cross member that reduces the oil capacity by at least a quart (I installed a remote oil filter that gave me back that quart). Oh, and the distributor rubbed the firewall (can't believe it didn't break the cap when the engine torqued up).

After three years of messin' with it, I'm not about to change it out now. At this rate I will have replaced everything on it in a few more years.
Plus it does sound really cool. there's really nothing cool about small blocks anyway, right?
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #12  
46yblock's Avatar
46yblock
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
Likes: 4
From: Southern Oregon
From my perspective, putting the time and effort you have into the truck and engine gives a person a lot more appreciation, and understanding of what they are driving.
The recent post I made regarding weird spark... the owner of the Packard had never even pulled a spark plug. Therefore he was at a total loss when it wouldnt start.
My distributor rubs the firewall too, at least one of the boots does. Makes putting in and taking out wires a real hassle. Also the pass. side head at the rear is very close. I am going to install the new motor with heads off for fear of crunching the firewall.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jbaysinger
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
11
Sep 1, 2012 11:05 AM
lawdogg1
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Mar 17, 2011 05:16 PM
lawdogg1
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
7
Mar 12, 2011 11:33 AM
timmyt22
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jan 5, 2009 08:08 PM
Charles-65F350
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
13
Nov 20, 2001 10:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:57 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE