VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Maiden Voyage!

Just drove my '50 Fleetline Special 4dr sedan this weekend!!! First drive since '65. we were able to trek around the neighborhood about 3/4 of a mile.it's a junkyard rescue with a hand written statement in the window " I survived 'Cash For Clunkers'". I purchased a complete drive train and suspension from a '50 coupe that was being hotrodded locally.The car ran fine in my backyard while working on it over the past couple of years, but on the trek around the neighborhood it seems to have a carbuerator issue possibly vacuum leak. It has developed a stumble on acceleration just above idle, the car died a couple of times, but restarted easily then ran rough. Back home it seemed to run better and idle faster with the choke pulled out nearly full, without, it wants to die. I'm going to spray WD-40 around base plate and other areas to see what happens. Any advise? Outside of the carb issues it was a great feeling to get behind the wheel a take her for a spin. Also I have no experience with 216s but have the manuals and am able to read. The car has a new fuel tank, sending unit, line, and pump.

Though many others will offer recommendations to pitch that old babbitt pounder, update numerous parts in the name of comfort and safety, we will try to help preserve another bit of Chevrolet history. Symptoms do suggest lean mixture at speeds higher than idle. Generally vacuum leaks effect idle more than higher speeds. Testing with a combustible liquid is a good way to check for vacuum leaks. Do you have a Rochester or Carter carburetor?

Check to make sure the accelerator pump is working. Also, it could possibly be a plugged jet. It sounds like a carburetor problem to me.

When starting a vehicle that has sat not running for several years, a very important modification (at least temporary) is the addition of a good inline filter in the fuel line right at the carburetor.

And yes, this bit of data was learned the "hard way".

Jon.

I have no qualms about driving a vehicle with an oil slinger. Perhaps I should clarify "stumble", it's more like a dead spot in carbueration just above idle that cleared up if you feathered the pedal to get it past that point. The rough running issues seem to be on the lower rpm end and now idle also, Idling is when I need the choke engaged nearly fully. The vehicle has a clear fuel filter just before the carb and shows no dirt, which it shouldn't, seeing as how all components are new to that point. I pulled the carb last night and installed another carb, it doesn't want to run at all without fuel poured down the throat. I could swear that I rebuilt it, but I could be wrong, I guess I'll be pulling that one and taking a look inside, I may have mixed up the ball bearings on assembly. I have dissected the first carb and intend to go through it tonight.Oh yeah, it's a Rochester model B. I do like to preserve history when I can, including keeping older vehicles relatively stock. Having missed the era when many of you had the opportunity to drive them , I want to have that same experience, frightening stops with Huck brakes and all. I did start out driving a '55 Chevy back in the mid ''80s,

Did you check the accelerator pump. sounds like part of the problem.

I pulled the first offending carb apart yesterday evening and I found that i had rebuilt it, but the new accelerator pump diaphram was worn around the edges and the edge material was stuck to the sides of the opening in the carb body. The second carb is full of rust from the old fuel tank and will get a rebuild tonight.Good reason for the second one not to work properly.Hopefully replacing the accelerator pump on the first carb will correct the problem, then I will have a spare for back up.

Also, I have not used any ethanol laced fuel in the car.