[kingdruid]

I bought a 1964 Impala a few months ago and just had time to replace the distributor which was bad when I bought it. So I replaced it and the car starts if I prime the carb, but it will not stay on.

I checked the line from the fuel pump/Fuel Filter and there is gas spitting out of it, but the carburetor jets do not put out any gas. I was told the car had been sitting for 6 years before I bought it, but the only thing wrong with it was the distributor and it was actually running before it died.

So I have a feeling the carburetor is clogged due to it sitting too long. I bought some carburetor cleaner and sprayed it around the carb and on top. I then primed the carb and sprayed the jets when the car was on for a few seconds because I was told not to spray into the jets when the car is not running.

That unfortunately did not help. Any suggestions? I am trying to avoid rebuilding the carburetor because I have never dont it before, but I guess worse case I will have to.

[1996thunderchicken]

The kit will cost about 50 and the edelbrock is simple to do

[kingdruid]

Originally Posted by 1996thunderchicken

The kit will cost about 50 and the edelbrock is simple to do

Does it sound like the kit will fix it? I see the kits on eBay for like 30.

Sorry the reason I ask is because one of the reviews for the kit say that after a rebuild you may also need an acceelarator pump, jets and squirters to get the carb working. After all that it may be cheaper to get a new Cathy, but I can't afford that.

[Irelands child]

As far as being plugged, these are simple to clean out unless there is damage. Any good carb cleaner should dissolve that gum and deposits

The base gasket kit is about $20 bucks. The full rebuild kit is about $35. It looks like they now just provide a new acc pump seal instead of the entire pump. BUT, that pump alone is another$10 if needed.

Another way - see if the local Craigs list has one - or as I did a short while back, pick up a decent rebuildable carb at a swap meet. The 1405 I got was $20, looked really cruddy outside, but nice internally though it will need a good cleaning and kit before use.

[Centerline]

Just went through the same thing with my '64 Dodge. Had been sitting for about 7 years without being started. Had to remove the fuel tank and have it cleaned, blew out the fuel lines (all of them), replaced the fuel pump and rebuilt the AFB (same as Edelbrock). Starts up and runs fine now.

If it has been sitting that long, you can guarantee the gas in your tank is bad. Gas only lasts about 6 months at the most before it starts to turn to varnish. Since your fuel pump is still working at least you won't need to swap that out. When it comes to the carb you really need to rebuild it but they're pretty simple and straight forward.

The most important thing when rebuilding any carb is to use a good quality carburetor cleaner and let the whole carb (once its disassembled) soak for 24 hours. Then take each part out one at a time and clean it separately including blowing out each and every hole and passage. A complete kit (around $35) will include all the gaskets, new needles and seat, accelerator pump, and instructions on how to rebuild it and set the float level. Its not hard to do but if you feel its beyond your comfort level then just take it off and let a carb specialist do it for you. When a carb sits that long its going to be full of all kinds of gunk. Also if it has one of the old leather accelerator pumps, chances are thats shot and will need to be replaced anyway.

Good luck.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"If money is what makes cars fast, mine otta be going 400 miles an hour!". - Felix Sabates

[kingdruid]

Originally Posted by Centerline

Just went through the same thing with my '64 Dodge. Had been sitting for about 7 years without being started. Had to remove the fuel tank and have it cleaned, blew out the fuel lines (all of them), replaced the fuel pump and rebuilt the AFB (same as Edelbrock). Starts up and runs fine now.

If it has been sitting that long, you can guarantee the gas in your tank is bad. Gas only lasts about 6 months at the most before it starts to turn to varnish. Since your fuel pump is still working at least you won't need to swap that out. When it comes to the carb you really need to rebuild it but they're pretty simple and straight forward.

The most important thing when rebuilding any carb is to use a good quality carburetor cleaner and let the whole carb (once its disassembled) soak for 24 hours. Then take each part out one at a time and clean it separately including blowing out each and every hole and passage. A complete kit (around $35) will include all the gaskets, new needles and seat, accelerator pump, and instructions on how to rebuild it and set the float level. Its not hard to do but if you feel its beyond your comfort level then just take it off and let a carb specialist do it for you. When a carb sits that long its going to be full of all kinds of gunk. Also if it has one of the old leather accelerator pumps, chances are thats shot and will need to be replaced anyway.

Good luck.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"If money is what makes cars fast, mine otta be going 400 miles an hour!". - Felix Sabates

Thanks I'm picking up the kit today. What do I soak the carb in for 24 hours?

[Brian Morency]

I just bought my carb 600cfm was sitting on shelf used.but clean. Had a few problems with back fire in. exhaust pipes but with a timing adjustment mostly carb tuning o got rid of it.

[Centerline]

Originally Posted by kingdruid

Thanks I'm picking up the kit today. What do I soak the carb in for 24 hours?

The best stuff to use is a specialty carburetor cleaner. Its available in several different brands and you can get it at pretty much any auto parts store. Napa has it for sure.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"When buying a used car, punch the buttons on the radio. If all the stations are rock and roll, there's a good chance the transmission is shot." - Larry Lujack

[1996thunderchicken]

I had a 1406 that I got a kit and carb clean got it back together and it does fine

[kingdruid]

So this morning before I went out and bought the kit, I primed the carb again andbattempted to start it because I had sprayed the carburetor last night and thought hopefully it will work

It started up and as long as I held onto the gas a little the car stayed on, but backfired every few seconds. Once I let the car die it won't turn back on unless I prime it again. (Actually I'm told it was not backfiring it was the carburetor making the sound)

What do you guys think? Other than the carburetor could it be something else?

[RWENUTS]

So you replaced the distributor. New one? New points?
What's your timing set at?
Might be retarded making it backfire out the carb.

[kingdruid]

Originally Posted by RWENUTS

So you replaced the distributor. New one? New points?
What's your timing set at?
Might be retarded making it backfire out the carb.

I haven't checked the timing with a light, but marked everything and.put the distributor and cap where the old one was.

I broke apart the carburetor right now and have it soaking in carbutetor dip right now for the next 24 hours. I did notice the accelaretor plunger spring was corroded and more compressed than the one that came.in the kit. I also noticed the kit said it would supply 2 step up rod retiner springs, but there missing. I'm going to autozone tomorrow and hopefully they exchange it because the box says it can't be returnedbonce opened.

[Centerline]

Originally Posted by kingdruid

I haven't checked the timing with a light, but marked everything and.put the distributor and cap where the old one was.

I broke apart the carburetor right now and have it soaking in carbutetor dip right now for the next 24 hours. I did notice the accelaretor plunger spring was corroded and more compressed than the one that came.in the kit. I also noticed the kit said it would supply 2 step up rod retiner springs, but there missing. I'm going to autozone tomorrow and hopefully they exchange it because the box says it can't be returnedbonce opened.

Are you sure they're missing? They look a lot like ball point pen springs but lighter.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"Old age and treachery will always trump youth and exuberance." - Anonymous

[kingdruid]

Originally Posted by Centerline

Are you sure they're missing? They look a lot like ball point pen springs but lighter.

Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"Old age and treachery will always trump youth and exuberance." - Anonymous

Yeah I also noticed all the pictures online and on the box it doesn't have them. I don't think there included, buy mine don't look so bad so ill probably try them first before going out and buying some more

[kingdruid]

Thanks everybody, after the carburetor rebuild this old car is running great.