215 Engine issues HELP!!!!

[Anonymous]

i got an issue with my 215, i have my ignition timing and distributor internals set to stock settings. When i have the 1904 on i have to keep the choke on to get a nice idle and any sorta throttle response, but it's so lagging when i try and drive and if i push choke in, the think back fires, carb was internally cleaned and i soldered main jet to .059. Now if i put my Visi-flo carb on ( which has a smaller choke plate, and a stock .052 main jet ) engine idles great but has no throttle response and when you accellerate while sitting still engine takes a while to come back down to idle. and car is still lethargic off the line. the only thing that i noticed between the 2 carbs is that jetting was different and choke plates were different sizes, also the accellerator pump rod on the visi-flo was alot shorter. am i missing something, anyone have any luck with these motors? what about adapting a holley 94 to the manifold, what to do with the vacuum advance on distributor

 

[Cosmotiki]

I had a similar problem w/ the 223 in my 56 pickup (Holley 1904). I was able to correct it by re-setting the timing to the spec in the manual (I thought it had been spot-on, but when I checked it, it was off). I then turned the idle mixture screw to 1 1/2 turns out initially, then adjusted it to reach peak manifold vacuum. This solved my problem. Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

yeh, well i'm confused cuz i have a 1952-1954 ford car manual, a chiltons manual for all cars 1940-1953 and a 1953 ford truck manual and they all say something different for the 215 as far as the timing and main jet setting, one say no more advanced then 3 deg BTDC and the other two say 0 deg, seems like it has more throttle response without hesitation at about 5 deg ATDC. i switched some things on both carbs and seem to have it close i ended going with a .059 main jet, i'll have to drive it and see what happens, WOULD INCORRECT VALVE LASH CAUSE ANY ISSUES? I have never checked it. would it also matter which distributor i have? i have seen the truck 215 takes the "C" dist and the passenger car 215 takes the "A"

 

[Cosmotiki]

I can't speak to the difference in distributors (I only have the one that came w/ my truck... not even sure which one it is), but you did hit on another area where I found my 223 to be finicky - valve lash. I set mine per my '56 truck service manual and it made quite a difference in smooting out the idle. Note that I bring the truck up to operating temp, but adjust them w/o the engine running. It seems to work for me.

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanx i'll have to try that then, Seems like it would be sorta hard to adjust them with the engine running. he he

 

[Anonymous]

seems to be running alot better but i'm still getting a stutter on acceleration in 1st gear

 

[SandiaMan]

Have you checked the vacuum advance?

 

[Anonymous]

seems to be correct at 15 Degree advance at 2000 dist rpm

 

[Anonymous]

seems to be running alot better but i'm still getting a stutter on acceleration in 1st gear

As Sandiaman comments, a hole in the vacuum advance diaphragm will cause hesitation. Pull the advance tube, hook a rubber hose to it and check the diaphragm for suction holding.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanx i'll have to try that then, Seems like it would be sorta hard to adjust them with the engine running. he he

Actually, that is the preferred method of adjustment. But you have to wash off the oil afterwards.
I put cardboard around the engine compartment to catch most of it.