Carburator for dummies

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katsi

Carburator for dummies

Post by katsi »

Anyone know how to dial in a carb? Mine is definatly off but I have absolutly no clue as how to adjust it. I get A LOT of backfires when I take my foot off the gas. It floods when I try to start it when it's warm but idols fine once I get it started (got to do the peddle to the floor start). I get a very strong fuel smell when I turn it off and I can't find any leaks. :shock:

Anyway, this is pretty new territory for me so does anyone know of something I can read to get me up to speed on the subject? I can, however, fix the carb on my lawn mower.
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by vandor »

If it floods then likely that is not an adjustment issue! I suppose the float level could be off, but it's not something that changes by itself.
Sounds like the carb needs a rebuild.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by 124JOE »

how is your choke?
is is moving to closed?it my be too warm outside
you can leave the car off and check your setings
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
katsi

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by katsi »

124JOE wrote:how is your choke?
is is moving to closed?it my be too warm outside
you can leave the car off and check your setings
Will check this eveing.
vandor wrote:If it floods then likely that is not an adjustment issue! I suppose the float level could be off, but it's not something that changes by itself.
Sounds like the carb needs a rebuild.
Yeah, I was just hopeing to fix it before I purchased a rebuild kit from you. Because after I rebuild it, I will then have to take it to a mechanic for the second, correct rebuild. :shock:
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aj81spider
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Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chelmsford, MA

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by aj81spider »

Because after I rebuild it, I will then have to take it to a mechanic for the second, correct rebuild.
Hey! That's my plan too!
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
dmwhiteoak
Posts: 1088
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:12 pm
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 spider
Location: White Oak Tx

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by dmwhiteoak »

There is really not that much too overhauling one of these webers. Just remember where everything goes and take a few pictures before you tear it down. Where is Katy anyway, is that just north of Houston?
Dennis Modisette

1972 124 Spider
2003 Chevrolet Z71
2007 GMC Yucon
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blurple124
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:46 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by blurple124 »

An easy place to start would be to check all of your engine hoses. It sounds like you have more of an issue than just that, but I had backfiring when I bought mine because the PO hadn't changed the hoses since original (or so it appeared). Lots of air was getting into the engine causing the issue. I changed the hoses, and no issues since!

Like I said, this would be a cheap and easy place to begin.
Charlie
1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800 - Antonia
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport
katsi

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by katsi »

blurple124 wrote:An easy place to start would be to check all of your engine hoses.
I did replace all the fuel hoses and it did improve the carb performance a lot. :mrgreen:
dmwhiteoak wrote:Where is Katy anyway, is that just north of Houston?
Just west of Houston. :wink:
jsab

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by jsab »

You need to check the vacuum hoses and system also, holes in these will also cause backfiring on deceleration.
katsi

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by katsi »

jsab wrote:You need to check the vacuum hoses and system also, holes in these will also cause backfiring on deceleration
What vaccume hoses are you referring to?

I changed everything to a very simple webber carb. Most of my vaccuum lines on the intake have been capped off. I have a single plane intake form a 74 (I think) on my 79.
majicwrench

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by majicwrench »

Backfiring on decell is not really a big issue, and may, or may not be carb related. Holding your foot down and cranking an cranking a flooded engine, that is a carb issue and needs to be adressed.

I cringe every time someone comes into my shop and says "I rebuilt my carb last weekend, and now all it needs is some adjustment...". If you do it yourself get a good manual and a clean work bench, take some pics. The float, needle and seat, and idle circuit are important.
Keith
katsi

Re: Carburator for dummies

Post by katsi »

124JOE wrote:how is your choke?
Perminently open. Will not close. It's a water choke so I bet it's rusted.

I purchased the carb on ebay for the high bid of $24.00. I bolted it on and she fired right up. I did some monor adjustments to the idle screw and it was fine.

After sitting in the garage for over a year, I got the gumption to put in a new suspension (was almost undriveable). Now I'm ready to drive again and she has developed this problem.

Oh yeah, I went to adjust the mixture screw last night and it would not turn either right or left. I gave it a little bit more force, nothing big, and it broke off compleetly. So, I guess the mixture screw adjustment is no longer an option.
majicwrench wrote:Backfiring on decell is not really a big issue, and may, or may not be carb related.

Yeah, only on decelleration. I adjusted the idle screw (the one on the carb throttle) and that didn't help anything. The mixture screw - read above :evil:
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