Anyone good at tuning carbs?

4RunnerAdam · 11-09-2008, 07:05 PM

I'd pay someone or buy a case a beer if someone came over and tune my Edelbrock 1406 carb. I want it to run the best it can run.

I need to get a timing light too. Mine quit. It was running like crap, so I tried adjusting the timing VIA the distributor. Got it running a lot better. Turned it off, went to restart it, and it was VERY hard to start, so I guess I have the timing way off. Guess I'll either rent or buy one. What should I set the timing at?

I'm just a few minutes from Eastgate mall.

4RunnerAdam · 11-14-2008, 12:14 AM

Nobody?

I tried reading the manual, and its pretty involved and detailed. Confusing to say the least.

Is there a shop around that might be able to help me out? Someone who knows there stuff?

jfiscus · 11-14-2008, 09:03 AM

I will talk to my buddy but he works 12 hr shifts fri-sun. He's off on Monday & Thursday this week. He's a muscle-car guy but should be fine helping you with your carb, not sure what he'll charge you though since you're an hour away. PM me your number so I can get it to him.

RD TRCTR · 11-14-2008, 09:03 AM

I'd set the timing at 8 degrees Before Top Dead Center and go from there.

I have buddies that set the timing "by ear". They go until the vehicle is hard to start and then "back it off a notch". B/c of this theory I'd greatly recommend a timing light.

As far as adjusting the carburetor, my advice is to adjust each side one at a time. Adjust the screw until you here that side run a little rough, then go 2.5 turns in. Then do the other side. I usually repeat this 2 or three times. The screw to adjust is on the front of the carb and in the lowest portion of the carb closest to the manifold.

This is free advice so please take it for what is worth.

cincygman · 11-15-2008, 12:21 AM

I was doing carbs before most people heard about fuel infection but I can't find that darn screw driver anymore. Maybe I left it over there....................

Anyway, we are on different sides of the world but if I can help out any way I can let me know.

G

4RunnerAdam · 11-15-2008, 03:40 PM

Thanks!

I'll have to get a good timing light. The cheapie I got died. I dont think AutoZone rents one, do they? Anyone know of a cheap one?

I adjusted the time "by ear" and now she fires right up, but still has a "pop" in the exhaust note every other second. One side spits a little fire too. Could this be because I have open headers right now? Carb out of adjustment? Timing off?

Also when I drive it, anything more than half throttle, she hesistates and boggs down.

cincygman · 11-15-2008, 06:03 PM

Open headers make it very lean. the carb needs to be tuned for that if thats the way your going to run it. Other wise anything you do now won't work with any kind of exhaust on it. There are a lot questions to be answered. Do you have timing advancer, vacum or mechanical or both. Does the timing advance work? Does the model of carb your running use adjustable metering rods? where are they set? Engine mods? Cam? Heads? so many questions, so little time............................

11-09-2008, 07:05 PM	#1
4RunnerAdam Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: near eastgate mall Posts: 171	Anyone good at tuning carbs? I'd pay someone or buy a case a beer if someone came over and tune my Edelbrock 1406 carb. I want it to run the best it can run. I need to get a timing light too. Mine quit. It was running like crap, so I tried adjusting the timing VIA the distributor. Got it running a lot better. Turned it off, went to restart it, and it was VERY hard to start, so I guess I have the timing way off. Guess I'll either rent or buy one. What should I set the timing at? I'm just a few minutes from Eastgate mall. __________________ 88 4Runner, 350 V8 swap in progress http://staff.4x4wire.com/adamf

11-14-2008, 12:14 AM	#2
4RunnerAdam Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: near eastgate mall Posts: 171	Nobody? I tried reading the manual, and its pretty involved and detailed. Confusing to say the least. Is there a shop around that might be able to help me out? Someone who knows there stuff? __________________ 88 4Runner, 350 V8 swap in progress http://staff.4x4wire.com/adamf

11-15-2008, 12:21 AM	#5
cincygman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pleasant Run Farms (near Fairfield) Posts: 378	I was doing carbs before most people heard about fuel infection but I can't find that darn screw driver anymore. Maybe I left it over there.................... Anyway, we are on different sides of the world but if I can help out any way I can let me know. G __________________ Romans 7-8

11-15-2008, 03:40 PM	#6
4RunnerAdam Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: near eastgate mall Posts: 171	Thanks! I'll have to get a good timing light. The cheapie I got died. I dont think AutoZone rents one, do they? Anyone know of a cheap one? I adjusted the time "by ear" and now she fires right up, but still has a "pop" in the exhaust note every other second. One side spits a little fire too. Could this be because I have open headers right now? Carb out of adjustment? Timing off? Also when I drive it, anything more than half throttle, she hesistates and boggs down. __________________ 88 4Runner, 350 V8 swap in progress http://staff.4x4wire.com/adamf

11-15-2008, 06:03 PM	#7
cincygman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pleasant Run Farms (near Fairfield) Posts: 378	Open headers make it very lean. the carb needs to be tuned for that if thats the way your going to run it. Other wise anything you do now won't work with any kind of exhaust on it. There are a lot questions to be answered. Do you have timing advancer, vacum or mechanical or both. Does the timing advance work? Does the model of carb your running use adjustable metering rods? where are they set? Engine mods? Cam? Heads? so many questions, so little time............................ __________________ Romans 7-8

11-14-2008, 09:03 AM	#3
jfiscus Terrain Stomper Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 633	I will talk to my buddy but he works 12 hr shifts fri-sun. He's off on Monday & Thursday this week. He's a muscle-car guy but should be fine helping you with your carb, not sure what he'll charge you though since you're an hour away. PM me your number so I can get it to him.

11-14-2008, 09:03 AM	#4
RD TRCTR Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Troy, OH Posts: 94	I'd set the timing at 8 degrees Before Top Dead Center and go from there. I have buddies that set the timing "by ear". They go until the vehicle is hard to start and then "back it off a notch". B/c of this theory I'd greatly recommend a timing light. As far as adjusting the carburetor, my advice is to adjust each side one at a time. Adjust the screw until you here that side run a little rough, then go 2.5 turns in. Then do the other side. I usually repeat this 2 or three times. The screw to adjust is on the front of the carb and in the lowest portion of the carb closest to the manifold. This is free advice so please take it for what is worth.