92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Here's hoping someone can help with this. I've tried every suggestion I can find when I try the search.

I'm getting fuel dripping from the secondaries on my Holley. Its not consistent at all. Sometimes is just one side, other times its both. It doesn't seem to do it when cold, but always does it after I've run it hard. When the car is warm/hot and I've been driving it normally, they drip about 60% of the time. The rest of the time they don't do it.

I've already replaced the needle and seat twice, and adjusted the fuel level more times than I can count. Currently the fuel level is set so I have to rock the car pretty good before the fuel just trickles out. Fuel pressure is 4-5PSI and I added an inline filter this past Thursday hoping that would finally fix the issue. When I added the filter I also removed the needle and seat and sprayed them out with carb cleaner. Earlier this summer I replaced the secondary metering plate gasket, and the carb was rebuilt in early 2009.

I noticed when I replaced the metering plate gasket that the plate itself has several small cracks running through it. They are only visible on the smooth side, not the side with the fuel passages. I'm wondering if this could be the cause of the dripping?

Any input and/or other ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Engine specs: 350 SBC with a very mild cam and ported 416 heads, carb is a holley 4160 model 600CFM with vacuum secondaries. Idle vacuum is 17-18" unless the secondaries are dripping, then is 14-15"

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Check the setting of the secondary "idle" opening. You have to remove the carb, turn it over. The back side of the throttle blades should be open enough to make the transfer slots look like squares. The adjustment is made via a set screw on the bottom of the throttle plate, opposite side that the primary idle speed adjustment is on.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, I was wondering if that might play a part in the problem. I know I didn't have this problem last summer and I never messed with the secondary throttle plate settings till earlier this summer.

Also, I went ahead and ordered a new metering plate from Jegs last night so I'll check that setting when I go to replace the plate since I'll have to pull the carb anyhow. Unless I can get the kids to leave me alone long enough after work tonight to check it.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

So I checked the transition slot on the secondaries tonight. Turns out its not a slot at all on my carb. Its just a small hole, one on each bore.

When I replaced the needle & seat on the secondaries earlier this summer, I followed the instructions in the Holley Renew kit I bought 2 years ago and set the throttle screw 1/4 turn past where it touches the arm on the vacuum linkage. This sets the blades so they are cracked open just barely. If I shine a light down through the bores I can just barely see it through the blades if I turn the carb just right.

On a side note, I've always been a bit confused by the exploded diagram in the rebuild kit. For the secondary metering plate it shows what looks like 3 gaskets stacked between the plate and the carb body. Is this right? I've only been using 1 gasket because I got major leaks when I stacked 3 in there. I had gas everywhere - out the vent tube, air bleeds, and venturis.