Carb Problem | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 veteran | OP veteran Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 | I have a 1976 with 318. I have owned since 1980 and nothing has ever been done to the carburetor. The van has become hard to start after driving and the engine is hot. After a few days setting in the garage, I usually have to try 3 or 4 times before it fires up, but I think that is just the gas evaporating in the bowl. After driving when hot, after it starts up, I also get a smell of gas. The van runs good on the open road, other than it has lost a bit of power over the years. I might add I know nothing about the inner workings of a carb. An old-timer at the local garage told me it is probably a Carter carb, I know it is 2-barrel. He said the problem is probably the float is a fiber or plastic and has become saturated over the years. Could the timing be part of the problem. I also have the original fuel pump. Thinking about replacing that, I have 102,000 miles on the van. | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 2,290 Likes: 137 veteran | veteran Joined: Jan 2014 Posts: 2,290 Likes: 137 | Time for a rebuild. If you were closer to me, I would clean it up for ya. Find a reputable carb rebuilder, they will put all new parts in it including the floats, and clean it out really good for you. | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: May 2019 Posts: 33 newbie | newbie Joined: May 2019 Posts: 33 | The Carter 2 barrel is easy to rebuild. I can give you the autozone part number for a kit with new check balls and gaskets. It even comes with a new float needle. It wasn't more than 30 bucks. | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Carter BBD. There is a good chance that the base plate has worn around the throttle shaft and created an air leak. You can get a kit to bush the shaft and cure the leak for about $40.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 veteran | OP veteran Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 | Reed, if I spray ether or carb cleaner around the throttle shaft will it detect the leak. I have read about spraying around the vacuum lines to detect a leak. I looked up in my parts books today and it appears the carb is a Carter BBD. | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | It is possible that spraying carb cleaner will show the leak. Easier to just move the throttle shaft and see if there is any play. Here is the bushing kit: CLICK MEI have a couple spare BBDs in my garage. Let me know if you need one or some parts.
Last edited by Reed; May 09th 2019 10:41 pm.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 veteran | OP veteran Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 | I talked to a guy today who worked at a Dodge dealership all his life and rebuilt many 70's carbs. He is in his 80s now and said he is to old to mess with a rebuild, he said the BBD was a bad carb from production. He said he would recommend just getting an Edelbrock or Holley and put on the van. He also mentioned the charcoal canister could be part of the gas smell. | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Well, I strongly disagree. I am half his age but have been messing with BBDs for the last 20 years. Loads of rebuilds. It is a very simple and good carb, in my opinion. He might be thinking of the BBDs that were put on Jeeps in the 80s. THOSE were a faulty design and should be avoided.
The charcoal cannister is what STOPS the gas smell by absorbing the fuel vaoprs that evaporate out of the fuel bowl on the carb when the engine is shut down. You can get Edelbrock and Holley carbs with bowl vents to keep the charcoal cannister funcitonal if you want.
Last edited by Reed; June 07th 2019 12:52 pm.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Carb Problem | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 veteran | OP veteran Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,969 Likes: 64 | Finally found an older mechanic who said he will take a look at the carb. I was replacing some of the vacuum hoses today and was looking for the ID tag on the carb. I see the numbers stamped 0-2425 on the right side and 6-2138 stamped below the throat on the carb. Would one of these numbers be the model? | | |
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