V8 Carb Cleaning

[fj40mayo]

I have an Edelbrock Performer 600cfm carb on my 350 sbc and it needs cleaning. My tank is getting replaced, but until I find a replacement, I need to get it running smoothly again. I'll clean it again when the new tank is in. I have 2 in-line filters, and keeping them changed out/clean helps, but only for a while. My question is, what is the best and correct way to clean this carb? I checked the book and it doesn't say much and I didn't find anything in the archives here. I'm sure it needs to be opened up, but I'm not sure what exactly needs to be done.


P.S- don't tell me to get a Q-Jet or another carb. I need to make this one work.

 

[fsusteve]

If it just needs spraying down, hit it good with carb cleaner inside and out. If it needs a rebuild, get the numbers off it and go to the parts store and get a rebuild kit. It will have instructions in it.

 

[fj40mayo]

I've sprayed it down several times and that really doesn't seem to do it. Does it need to be opened up to clean it correctly or just pulled sprayed with cleaner really well? The carb is not even a year old yet and was running fine until I let my filters get too full of junk. When the crap in the lines gets into the carb, where exactly does it go? I've never opened one of these up so I'm clueless.

 

[fsusteve]

Prolly clogged one of the jets, I would take it apart and rebuild it anyways. Kits are like $30 IIRC.

 

[fj40mayo]

It acts up at idle and low speeds. Fine when I floor it. No way the jets can be removed and cleaned? Guess I'll just tear into it and see what happens. Thanks Steve.

 

[fsusteve]

You can pull it and soak it down good with carb or parts cleaner. If you take it apart you will need new gaskets to put it together. You may be able to see if the jets are clogged when it's off and clean them out. I'm guessing that's yer issue.

 

[HI^C]

did you tear into it yet?

you can pull jets without tearing it completely down.

 

[fj40mayo]

Well, I look it off and sprayed the hell out of it - inside and out. I didn't take it apart yet cause I don't have a rebuild kit with gaskets and such. Spraying it out good did help a little, but its still acting funky, so its going to have to come apart.

 

[TLCObsession]

you need to empty the bowls... no amount of spraying will remove the crud that is in there.

 

[Yoda]

It isn't too hard to lift the top off and clean the bowls and jets. If you are careful, you can even re-use the gasket. I cleaned mine several time before I got a new tank (the Edelbrock 600 w/electric choke) It has been several years since I did it, and am now running EFI, so I can't tell you exactly how. Just make sure when you put the top back on that all the needles line up with the jets they go into...don't force anything.

 

[fj40mayo]

That sounds more like it. I'll pull it apart tonight and clean out the inside. I need to do it anyway to adjust my floats and add the off-road needles and seats I've been carrying around. Thanks guys.

 

[hammerhead]

P.S- don't tell me to get a Q-Jet...

Mwaaaaaahaaahaaha...

I need to make this one work.

...You can't. It's a POS.

 

[fj40mayo]

HH-
Damn, I knew you'd say that.

 

[IDave]

You tried Seafoam, or Berryman's, down the throat?

 

[fj40mayo]

If it hasn't been suggested above, it hasn't been tried. Do you just remove the air filter and pour it in? I guess the directions will tell me. I didn't get around to opening the carb up last night so hopefully I can get to it today.

 

[IDave]

You just pour it in slowly down the throat, yessir. A third of a can down the throat, a third in the gas, and a third in the oil, if you like.

 

[fj40mayo]

I took it apart and it was full of junk. Cleaned it out good, changed the needle and seat and reset the floats. Works like its supposed to now. I'll try the seafoam too.