Newbie-HELP NEEDED-1985 C10 305 Cubic Inch V8- starting issues

[1985 305 C10]

I have an 85 Chevy C10 with a 305 cubic inch V8 and an eldelbrock carburetor. The carburetor has an electric choke. I am having issues though with the motor starting. I get a screeching sound from the motor, and I have to give it a lot of gas for the truck to start. Also when driving around, it seems to just sputter out and die whenever I make left turns. It still starts right back up though. I have no idea what to do, and have nowhere to turn. If anybody has any advice please help.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Is that screeching happening whenever the truck is running? It could be a belt. Watch for any of them flopping around. There could be a vacuum leak somewhere. I would look for that. Make sure your choke is actuating properly. Is it running lean or rich? How new is the carburetor and how good is the fuel flow?

 

[1985 305 C10]

The engine only screeches when it starts up. All I know about the age of the carburetor is that it came on the truck when I bought it in November of last year. It does seem to be running rather lean and I think it is struggling to get air. My oil pressure seems to be somewhat decent though. There is a lot of gunk in the carburetor it seems. This is my first vehicle, and I started driving it as a daily without issues in the beginning of February. Now it does get to be about 90 degrees where I live around this time of the month, so I don't know if that contributes to issues. Not overheating though.

 

[Georgeb]

What is on it for an intake and what are you funning for ignition? Is the choke fully open when warm? What is the ignition timing set at? I have a feeling you have too big of a carb or to rich of jetting.

 

[Georgeb]

I would set the ignition timing at about 15 deg advanced with the vac advance on manifold vacuum. Set the idle speed around 600 rpm and adjust the idle jets to maximum vacuum using a vacuum gauge. Try and see if it improves.

 

[1985 305 C10]

All I know is that the intake manifold is a chevy performer from eldelbrock. I have not checked the timing and I'm new to carburetors in terms of motors. Most of the work I have had done by a mechanic due to not having the time or knowledge to fix certain issues myself. Now that it is the summer time, I have time to do things. I just need help learning.

 

[Georgeb]

All I know is that the intake manifold is a chevy performer from eldelbrock. I have not checked the timing and I'm new to carburetors in terms of motors. Most of the work I have had done by a mechanic due to not having the time or knowledge to fix certain issues myself. Now that it is the summer time, I have time to do things. I just need help learning.

You are in the right place to learn! Just be patient with yourself and spend time on here.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The engine only screeches when it starts up. All I know about the age of the carburetor is that it came on the truck when I bought it in November of last year. It does seem to be running rather lean and I think it is struggling to get air. My oil pressure seems to be somewhat decent though. There is a lot of gunk in the carburetor it seems. This is my first vehicle, and I started driving it as a daily without issues in the beginning of February. Now it does get to be about 90 degrees where I live around this time of the month, so I don't know if that contributes to issues. Not overheating though.

On older cars, a lean condition is a good sign of a vacuum leak. On cars with computer controlled mixtures, they'll usually richen up to compensate for the vacuum leak. George is right, and I'd like to think I'm at least sorta right. There are just always these baseline things to check when you have a verified problem. I would also consider having someone you trust and who knows what a carburetor is rebuild it if it's nasty and if your schedule can afford it. That would help your economy and response. Choke is a biggie. Make sure it's working properly.

 

[1985 305 C10]

I really appreciate the kind words. I will try what you suggested, hopefully it helps.

 

[DanMcG]

Does the screeching noise happen when the motor first fires up? That could be a belt slipping.
Hows the idle when your making the turns and do you have power steering?

 

[1985 305 C10]

The idle is awful on turns, and yes I have power steering, and A/C. I know my A/C fan belt is on it's last leg, but that is all I could think of that would be contributing to the screeching noise. Only squeals when I start it up, and I think it air/fuel starves on turns. It wants to die on left turns specifically.

 

[1973c10]

welcome

 

[74 Shortbed]

Check the float level..

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The idle is awful on turns, and yes I have power steering, and A/C. I know my A/C fan belt is on it's last leg, but that is all I could think of that would be contributing to the screeching noise. Only squeals when I start it up, and I think it air/fuel starves on turns. It wants to die on left turns specifically.

You know, mine used to do that, too. That's weird. Do you have a tachometer on it, or do you have one you can hook up just for testing purposes? I wonder what your RPM at idle is... The compressor belt chirps on mine sometimes, but I thought it was traditionally the alternator belt that squeals at startup since the load is so high then. Maybe check that one out, too. Have you found anything else out?

 

[Mr Clean]

from N.E.

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