223 Holley 2043 rough idle

[62uni]

I have a 62 223 with a Holley 2043 carb. pretty much like a 1904, I rebuilt the carb. 5 yrs. ago this year it started idling a little rough, highway use was fine. did a complete ignition tune up, it always ran better with an advanced timing to 8 deg. Still idles rough was told by better mechanics than me to go thru the carb again, just did that runs worse than It ever did. Looking at some other posts gave me some ideas the look at. Couple of questions, everyone talks about using a vacuum gauge to set the carb. where are you plugging the gage into? disconnecting the advance to the dist? One thing I noticed was when switching parts, the new kit came with 3 new metal balls, 1 tiny one for the pump diaghram spring, 2 larger ones for the check balls in the carb, the well with brass wieght had smaller ball would that make a difference? Thought maybe I originally put it together wrong. Getting ready to go back thru it again sure seems like something in the idle circuit, prob. should have left it alone. Any input apprec.
Charlie

 

[Daves55Courier]

posting.php?mode=reply&f=18&t=65622

Go to that link and it will allow you to pick detailed text instructions for rebuilding a Holley 1904 with illustrations
I am sure you know how to rebuild one, but there are some good explanations and tips that might help you

 

[62uni]

Thanks Dave, I could'nt get the link to work . I'll take any help I can get. I do have an old 1904 somewhere I guess I could take that apart to see what size the check balls are in that one.
Charlie

 

[62uni]

found this to be really helpful, getting ready to try again.
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manu ... /index.htm
Charlie

 

[62uni]

Looks like success, idles pretty smooth, highway performance is great. I think napa tried to screw me up. I took apart another spare carb that looked practically looked brand new on the inside, and checked the metering block on that one, sure enough 2 different size check balls. Put it all back together, immediately ran better. Tuned it the best I can get it, would like to see better response when you goose it from idle, but definitely idling better. Thought about upgrading to pertronix for a more reliable spark, like to know more about it, I've heard both ways you have to change the coil and you don't have to change it. Any input?
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[bubba22349]

If your coil is performing good you don't have to change it, but the best results (hotter spark so you can run a wider plug gap) is going to be with a higher output coil over a stock type coil.

 

[Daves55Courier]

Sorry, the link was messed up somehow, but it was for oldcarprojectmanual, but I had the exact page that had all the Holley 1904 info on it.
Heres more info
To adjust the carb, start by leaning out the mixture screw (turn in) until the gauge as well as the engine begins to shudder. Next bring the screw back towards rich (turn out), while watching the gauge. Stop adjusting when the gauge reaches it's highest reading. After adjustment is made, reset your idle speed.

Small adjustments are best, and in fact "optimum" carb settings on the vacuum gauge (highest reading) is usually richer than it needs to be. In other words, once the highest reading is reached, lean the adjustment approximately 1/4 turn in. You may have to repeat the process a few times to get optimum results, but it's worth the time and effort.

Note: With a properly jetted carburetor, turning the mixture screw all the way lean, should kill the engine. If not, you're too rich! This may require re-jetting, or drilling the primary butterflies to add more idle air. Many of the newer "race" carbs allow you to change Idle air bleeds to fix this.

For carbs with 4-corner mixture screws, you have to take a bit more time. You can also run the engine at a "steady-state" RPM of say, 2500 RPM to double-check your secondary mixture screw settings. Do this with temperament! It takes time to get used to what you are seeing as well as if it is actually helping. Each engine will behave differently.

Remember to rev the engine to clear the spark plugs before taking your final reading and readjust if necessary. When you blip the throttle, the needle should drop to as low as 2, pop back up to as high as 26, and quickly level off in the normal zone.

 

[Daves55Courier]

Okay here is the right link

http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/manu ... /index.htm

 

[62uni]

Where are you plugging the vac. gauge? only vac port goes to the distributor. There are 2 plugs in the intake below the carb.

 

[bubba22349]

Use one of the plugs in the intake below the carb

 

[Daves55Courier]

Use one of the plugs in the intake below the carb

Ditto what bubba said

I am also using pertronix ignitor in my 223 with a stock coil. It works fine and no more messing with points and condensors.
Pertronix offers a higher grade ignitor that must be used with one of their special coils if you want to spend more money.