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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: fiddler on November 30, 2017, 06:20:26 PM

Title: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on November 30, 2017, 06:20:26 PM
So I have a 1974 chevy half ton stepside.  (C10).  Has a 350 with an edelbrock carb, I think the model is a 1406 carb.  The idle jets are repeatedly plugging up.  I open the jets by removing the needle valves and spraying with carb cleaner then compressed air.  I replace the needle valves and readjust and everything is fine for a bit then I have to do it again.  Sometimes 50 or a hundred miles and sometimes a few hundred miles.  I thought maybe the gas line was coming apart so I replaced it all and replaced all 3 filters in the line, but I am still seeing the idle jets plug.  (Symptoms...I get a rough idle, and find that one of the needle valves has no effect on the idle when I screw it in or unscrew it).  Anybody seeing this or have any ideas?  This problem is so common that edelbrock has a youtube on it.  I may need to switch carburetors
to a more trouble free model.  Any suggestions??   
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: VileZambonie on November 30, 2017, 08:53:27 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on December 02, 2017, 11:32:52 PM
I have a filter at the input to the fuel pump and two filters afterwards.  The filters on the output are the standard glass filters with replaceable mesh filter.  I don't have the packaging so I don't remember the brand names.  Is there a "best" fuel filter?  I would gladly install one if I heard there was one out there.
Thanks much for your help.
(So the redundant filters were already in the truck when I replaced the gas line.  I just went with what I had and replaced everything rather than re design.  Maybe better to get one real good filter at the output of the fuel pump.)

ricky 
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on December 03, 2017, 12:17:51 AM
So this is the fuel filter being used in the truck.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: VileZambonie on December 03, 2017, 07:23:38 AM
So you have 3 of those?

I would throw those in the trash, you only need one filter and I would put it in after the pump before the carburetor.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on December 03, 2017, 03:38:00 PM
Any suggestions as to what type of filter I should purchase?  If these aren't doing the job I hate to buy another that doesn't do the job.....

thanks for any advice,

ricky
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: VileZambonie on December 04, 2017, 02:38:57 PM
Any universal quality 3/8" filter will do the trick. A lot of guys prefer the transparent filters but any parts store will have them in stock. Put it in a place where you can easily service it and where it is away from danger.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: roundhouse on December 07, 2017, 04:54:53 AM
You might wind up with a new tank

I've had a couple of older vehicles where the filter would clog every 25-50 miles and I had to replace the tank

It had so much rust and dirt in it

I used the clear plastic 3/8 filters so I could see what it was catching

A new tank from rock auto is less than$100
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Engineer on December 08, 2017, 02:14:06 PM
You might wind up with a new tank

I've had a couple of older vehicles where the filter would clog every 25-50 miles and I had to replace the tank

It had so much rust and dirt in it

I used the clear plastic 3/8 filters so I could see what it was catching

A new tank from rock auto is less than$100


My son had a ‘79 GMC that we ended up replacing the tanks on. 50 miles to the fuel filter was a pain.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on January 08, 2018, 11:28:22 AM
Thanks All.  I seem to have cleared the problem with new gas lines and filters.  Maybe I got a tank of bad gas??  It has been over a month now with no plugged idle jets. 

Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Willy Lee on January 08, 2018, 10:15:55 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
very common when you put junk on your intake manifold.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Willy Lee on January 08, 2018, 10:26:13 PM
Any suggestions as to what type of filter I should purchase?  If these aren't doing the job I hate to buy another that doesn't do the job.....

thanks for any advice,

ricky
not one of those clear pieces of crap, unless you like engine fires.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Big Chip on January 08, 2018, 10:27:19 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
very common when you put junk on your intake manifold.
Are you say edelbrock carbs are junky?  I've heard that they were pretty good. Does Carter still make carburetors?  Those are good, right?


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Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Willy Lee on January 08, 2018, 10:40:42 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
very common when you put junk on your intake manifold.
Are you say edelbrock carbs are junky?  I've heard that they were pretty good. Does Carter still make carburetors?  Those are good, right?
Meh I found the best way to tune an Edelturd is with a 3lb sledge. I guess if you like low performance and mediocre drivability then I guess they are ok. It’s a shame that the Weber logo is on them kinda cheapens that brand a bit.

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Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Big Chip on January 08, 2018, 10:43:08 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
very common when you put junk on your intake manifold.
Are you say edelbrock carbs are junky?  I've heard that they were pretty good. Does Carter still make carburetors?  Those are good, right?
Meh I found the best way to tune an Edelturd is with a 3lb sledge. I guess if you like low performance and mediocre drivability then I guess they are ok. It’s a shame that the Weber logo is on them kinda cheapens that brand a bit.

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That's good to know. It sounds like you really know about carburetors.


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Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: Willy Lee on January 08, 2018, 10:55:48 PM
Very common especially if there's junk in the tank or bad gas. Where and what kind of fuel filter are you running?
very common when you put junk on your intake manifold.
Are you say edelbrock carbs are junky?  I've heard that they were pretty good. Does Carter still make carburetors?  Those are good, right?
Meh I found the best way to tune an Edelturd is with a 3lb sledge. I guess if you like low performance and mediocre drivability then I guess they are ok. It’s a shame that the Weber logo is on them kinda cheapens that brand a bit.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That's good to know. It sounds like you really know about carburetors.


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biggest part of knowing about carbs is what to stay away from. And that dinasauric conclobberation of parts is one to steer clear of. It’s like the AMC of carbs.
Title: Re: Idle jets plugging on edelbrock carb 1406 model
Post by: fiddler on November 29, 2018, 12:25:34 AM
So I ended up replacing the carburetor with a brand new edelbrock 1406.  Turns out the old one wasn't just full of crud, it was worn out.  The throttle plate would not even seat all the way.  Thought about rebuilding or buying re-manufactured, but was wooed by a brand new one.  No more plugging, no more too fast idle, no more hesitation.  Getting way better gas mileage.  Not sure of the actual numbers but I can say I am seeing around 20% increase in gas mileage.  The speedometer reads about 15 mph slow so I can't trust the odometer, but apples to apples I am getting about 20% better numbers.  I went with the edelbrock again so as to ease installation.  Everything is already in place.