Help tuning my holley....

[85MudMonster]

Okay, I got my holley carb put on today, I set the mixture screws all the way in then backed them out a full turn each one. Then set the idle to about what I thought was good. But the idle is all over the place and very choppy, I tried everything I could think of but nothing seems to get it to idle right. I went to the holley website and this is what they said to do:

QUESTION How do I adjust the mixture screws on my carburetor?
ANSWER To set idle mixture screws: 1.Get the engine up to temp 2.Shut the engine off 3.Install a vacuum gauge to a full manifold vacuum port 4.Turn the screws all the way in until lightly seated 5.Next, back them out 1 full turn and restart the engine making sure the choke is completely off 6.While at idle, back them out 1/8 turn at a time, alternating between the 2 or 4, until highest vacuum is achieved. Be sure you keep all 2 or 4 screws even. You can also do this adjustment without a vacuum gauge, the adjustment are the same except you will adjust to highest engine RPM at idle.

I did that and still nothing. I've given up for tonight, but if anyone knows the secret to the holley please let me know.

[TexasRed]

My holley preferred 1.5 turns out. No vacuum leaks and what RPM are you setting the idle mixture at? I'd try to do it at the lowest rpm you can run the engine at. What kind of cam do you have?

[joesgarage71]

No vacuum leaks

I have learned long ago when bolting a holley to any intake I use one of those steel plates(there about a 1/32 thick) under the carb. And don't overtighten the nuts either.
 You can check for leaks with a shot of WD-40 around the base of the carb while running, if the idle(or fast idle) rases when sprayed you found it.
 Did you set the float level yet? Might affect your idle.

[HAULIN IT]

Joe is very likely on the right track. What intake do you have? Sounds like you have a vacuum (air) leak, we just need to find out where. Lorne   

[TexasRed]

Also, do you have idle mixture screws on the secondaries?

[85MudMonster]

okay, I'm not a carb expert, but here we go....
there are only 2 mixture screws on the front of the carb, also, I know for a fact that all the vacuum lines are either hooked up or capped off. also, I have the factory cam, and the factory intake.

It is hard to set the mixture screws because the idle is all over the place. with where I have the idle screw set at right now it fluctuates between about 550-750 rpm, no matter how i adjust it it's the same amount of flutuation, then at some point in attempting to adjust the mixture screws it jumps to about 1400rpm, and at that speed it is pretty steady. then I've got to back the idle screw back down and we end up back where we started.

And finally, to answer this: Did you set the float level yet?

A: the floats have to be set???

[joesgarage71]

 You have a square bore carb on a stock spreadbore intake?
here is the holley site.
http://www.holley.com/TechService/Library.asp

[85MudMonster]

yes, but I bought an adapter. I'm not that dumb....

[85MudMonster]

Also for further reference the exact hooley I have is a model 4160 Part #: 6619

[85MudMonster]

one other thing, how do I know what type of floats I have, the brass ones, the nitrophyl ones, or the plastic ones....

[85MudMonster]

No vacuum leaks

I have learned long ago when bolting a holley to any intake I use one of those steel plates(there about a 1/32 thick) under the carb. And don't overtighten the nuts either.
 You can check for leaks with a shot of WD-40 around the base of the carb while running, if the idle(or fast idle) rases when sprayed you found it.
 Did you set the float level yet? Might affect your idle.

couldn't find anything like that plate thing you were talking about, but I found a bit thicker one that I figured if used in conjunction with some silicon sealant would make a great reusable gasket. plus the silicone will make sure it's not leaking around the bottom.

[HAULIN IT]

Dan, Do you have the 3/4" or so adapter with the Holley bolts that go up through from the bottom? Do you have a Q-jet pattern gasket on the bottom? Do you have a Holley pattern gasket on the top? Typical silicone sealer is not gas resistant & should not be used in this application. Lorne

[85MudMonster]

yes to all those questions. I've already assembled it with all the silicon and stuff. Is it going to hurt anything to have that there or what???

[joesgarage71]

yes, but I bought an adapter. I'm not that dumb....

I didn't think you were dumb.
 Here a sealing plate like I use.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=EDL%2D2732&N=700+115&autoview=sku
 

[85MudMonster]

okay here's an update, I need to know a place where I can buy a carburator that need no tuning other than adjusting the idle on it?

I know that there are no vac. leaks on this thing cause I bought those thick gaskets for the spreadbore and squarebore sides and then tightened down the area that was leaking more than the rest of the bolts and so if it is leaking then I'm just going to set the dang truck on fire cause it's pissing me off, and I just want to buy a carb put it on and set the idle and go.