Carburetor advice

[mcgarrett91]

Some of you have been following the saga of getting my recently acquired 1980 FJ40 through VA state inspection. Well, I brought it in for reinspection at Lake Ridge Auto, and the inspector is going to fail it again, this time for leaking fuel around the engine. Their carburetor specialist told me that the (new and recently installed) Edelbrock Performer Series isn't well-suited for the Chevy V8 350, will continue to cause these sorts of problems, and recommended that I swap it for a Holley Truck Avenger. He said that I'd spend more money trying to get the Edelbrock tuned properly. I got the vehicle from Colorado, and I knew that it was tuned for higher altitude and would need to be tweaked for our lower altitude.

Any suggestions? Do I bite the bullet and get the new carburetor or try to get the existing one tuned properly. I'm an absolute beginner with these things, so any guidance is appreciated.

Thanks.

Michael

 

[Blue77FJ40]

I would consider contacting Iron Pig offroad in Fredricksburg before I did anything inspection related.

 

[76FJ40]

Sounds like Lake Ridge's carb expert is a Holley man. I suggest that you verify that you have the correct Edelbrock carb for a 350 and then search Mud to see what the Mud members say about your carb. I find it hard to believe that the correct Edelbrock carb won't function properly on a 350. You will likely have to switch to larger jets for the lower altitude to keep it from running lean and possibly burning the valves.

I also suggest that you try your luck at a new inspection station. I'm sure someone here can recommend one close to you. Warrenton Toyota tried to hose me when Lylia had the FJC inspected (they wanted more than $1,500 to replace a stuck caliper). Warrenton Toyota failed me so I made the repair and took it to Waterloo to have it reinspected - no problem.

 

[Thornton]

Convenience in Manassas. Timmys got a guy named Doug working for him that's old school. They also do state inspections.

 

[mcgarrett91]

Just spoke with Iron Pig, and they said I probably need to re-jet the existing Edelbrock (based on the previous high-altitide setup) or depending on the labor costs involved with that, consider a different carburetor. I'm seeing conflicting recommendations with the Holley Street Avenger and Rochester Quadrajet. I don't plan any hardcore off-roading and need something suitable for primarily in and around town driving.

Michael

 

[John Smith]

The Edelbrock currently on it is probably a simple fix of just getting it jetted properly and fixing the fuel leak. Where is it leaking fuel from? The best thing about having the ubiquitous 350 is new parts are plentiful and dirt cheap compared to the 2F. Something to try. If you have a neighborhood list serv you should post up about your truck; and you may just find out you have a GM muscle car head or retired Chevy tech who would love to help you out for a six of their favorite beer.

 

[Von Hayek]

Convenience in Manassas. Timmys got a guy named Doug working for him that's old school. They also do state inspections.

I second Tom on the advice of taking your truck to Convenience. They are close to you, they know what they are doing, and they have been very good to the Land Cruiser community. They have recently hosted several our tech days. Check 'em out Convenience Car Care - Car Repair Facility, Used Cars Sales, Manassas, VA.

Bart

 

[mcgarrett91]

I second Tom on the advice of taking your truck to Convenience. They are close to you, they know what they are doing, and they have been very good to the Land Cruiser community. They have recently hosted several our tech days. Check 'em out Convenience Car Care - Car Repair Facility, Used Cars Sales, Manassas, VA.

Bart

Thanks everyone. I'm picking it up from Lake Ridge tomorrow morning and attempting to get it to Convenience Auto. With its tendency to stall right now, let's hope it will make the trip.

Michael

 

[76FJ40]

Does it idle OK? Does it run better when choked?

 

[mcgarrett91]

Does it idle OK? Does it run better when choked?

Idles very rough and almost impossible to start again after it stalls. Electric choke, I think, since there's no choke knob on the dash.

Michael

 

[76FJ40]

Engage the choke manually and see if it runs better. If so, you have a vacuum leak. You can also check for a vacuum leak with a propane tourch (unlit) or starting fluid.

Do the plugs look tan, sooty black, or white?

 

[mcgarrett91]

Engage the choke manually and see if it runs better. If so, you have a vacuum leak. You can also check for a vacuum leak with a propane tourch (unlit) or starting fluid.

Do the plugs look tan, sooty black, or white?

I decided to let the experts at Convenience take a look at it. Hopefully, it will be squared away on Monday, and I can drive it to the next club meeting. I really appreciate everyone's advice.

Michael

 

[mcgarrett91]

I decided to let the experts at Convenience take a look at it. Hopefully, it will be squared away on Monday, and I can drive it to the next club meeting. I really appreciate everyone's advice.

Michael

Update: Convenience identified a long list of issues that need to be resolved for the safe operation of the FJ. Unfortunately, these fixes won't be cheap (goodbye AC/PS kit and install budget), but they have to be done. Needless to say, I'm now even more unhappy about the shoddy pre-purchase inspection done by AiM Mobile Inspections, and I've let their CEO know how I feel. Not sure if the seller knowingly concealed these issues or just didn't know what he was doing with the "restoration."

I doubt the FJ will be done before Wednesday's meeting, but I still plan to be there.

Michael

 

[John Smith]

Update: Convenience identified a long list of issues that need to be resolved for the safe operation of the FJ. Unfortunately, these fixes won't be cheap (goodbye AC/PS kit and install budget), but they have to be done. Needless to say, I'm now even more unhappy about the shoddy pre-purchase inspection done by AiM Mobile Inspections, and I've let their CEO know how I feel. Not sure if the seller knowingly concealed these issues or just didn't know what he was doing with the "restoration."

I doubt the FJ will be done before Wednesday's meeting, but I still plan to be there.

Michael

Would you mind posting a list of the issues they found? Don't give up hope on power steering and AC. Mini Truck power steering can be done pretty cheap and easily.

 

[mcgarrett91]

Repair estimate

Would you mind posting a list of the issues they found? Don't give up hope on power steering and AC. Mini Truck power steering can be done pretty cheap and easily.

Estimate from Convenience is attached. Basically, quite a few items that were not installed/set up properly by the previous owner. I'm surprised it didn't burst into flames or just completely break down during my few short drives.

Michael

 

[Von Hayek]

Yikes. At least now you know, and you will have peace of mind once you get it straightened out.

 

[John Smith]

Estimate from Convenience is attached. Basically, quite a few items that were not installed/set up properly by the previous owner. I'm surprised it didn't burst into flames or just completely break down during my few short drives.

Michael

Wow! I am not sure how an inspector can miss a failing water pump, alternator, and brake hoses, along with intake gasket leak. Not sure you really need $144 worth of Moroso plug wires, $93 in boots, and $44 in loom, but that is quite the list. Hopefully you can recoup something from the inspection company. Do you have any under hood pictures you can post up?

 

[mcgarrett91]

Inspection report

The pre-purchase inspection report can be viewed at this link:

AiM

Here's an excerpt from the e-mail response from the CEO of AiM Mobile Inspections:

"Again, I am very sorry you are not satisfied with our inspection, we refunded your inspection fee, because your customer satisfaction is important to us whether we agree or disagree. I think the gap between your point of view and our point of view comes from two sources…. One the opinion of your repair shop. … just remember that the repair shop profits from making repairs…. AiM has no such incentive…. And two…. Expectations…. The general public’s expectation of what a good 30 year old car is can vary a great deal…… that said…. We believe the report was very accurate and we stand behind our inspectors statement “is in good to excellent condition given year and miles”. I hope we can someday earn another chance to be of service to you."

As I mentioned to him, had their inspection identified these glaring issues, I likely wouldn't have purchased the vehicle. I was looking for a turn-key restored vehicle, not something that I'd have to immediately sink a lot of $$$ into. The seller has been conspicuously non-responsive to e-mail and phone calls.

Michael

 

[greytandy]

I think the real truth of the vehicle condition is somewhere in between. Not to besmirch Convenience Car Center, but there's a difference between passing inspection and mechanical perfection.

 

[mcgarrett91]

I think the real truth of the vehicle condition is somewhere in between. Not to besmirch Convenience Car Center, but there's a difference between passing inspection and mechanical perfection.

Both Lake Ridge Auto and Convenience noticed significant fluid (oil and coolant) leaks. Very surprised that pre-purchase inspection didn't catch these glaring issues.

Michael