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#1
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Problems with Alcohol Pontiac Engine
Ok, Dragster Update.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ragster+update Went club racing and it did the same thing again, what is that? It starts out the evening fairly well, it does not idle great but will stay running. As the evening progress the idle gets worse to the point that it is hard to keep it running. On the last run before I gave up for the evening, I was sitting on the line with the trans brake on and it tried to die out on me. Here are some facts, compression has been checked, valve lash has been checked, timing has been checked, cap and rotor checked and will be replaced, new plugs installed and gapped at .350 (MSD box 6AL-2), Carb has been pulled apart cleaned and reassembled (QuickFuel QFX 4710-A 1050CFM Alcohol) . I got 11 straight runs at Indy in with no problems (over three days, the mid day was a rain out). These evening races total 7 passes and I cannot make all seven of them. Runs are very consistent at 8.90, under load and at RPM it runs great, at idle or when shifting it runs bad. The engine is the engine that came out of the Firebird and ran a whole season with gas with no problems. We switched to alcohol because of the overheating problems (never above 220) and now it will not idel. New air bleeds are on order. It is the front half of the engine that is not running right in that the EGTs on those cylinders are low. The front two cylinders are not firing at all when idling at the end of the evening. The thinking is the front half is either way to rich or way to lean. Ideas??????????????????????????
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#2
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Look at the Idle Bypass jet (would be my first guess but I am not a mechanical FI expert). Sounds like excess fuel is flooding the cylinders at low speeds.
Tom Vaught
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"Engineers do stuff for reasons" Tom Vaught Despite small distractions, there are those who will go Forward, Learning, Sharing Knowledge, Doing what they can to help others move forward. |
#3
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This is not mechanical FI, has the largest Mallory electric fuel pump with matching fuel bypass regulator. Data recorder records fuel pressure, there is a spike to 10 pounds but never drops below 7
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#4
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He's running a carb.
Jim
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****'63 Tempest, 475" IAII, Wenzler Super Chief heads, converted to blown alcohol, Birdcatcher, Littlefield 10-71 high helix. Best pass to date: 7.67 @ 181.59 (1/4 mi.), 4.95 @ 143.67 (1/8 mi.), 1.18 (60 ft) 7.75 @ 178 pass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iez3...ature=youtu.be First seven second pass(7.98): https://wwwoutube.com/watch?v=DK17...ature=youtu.be Thanks to Paul Carter @ Koerner Racing Engines |
#5
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It is too rich.
Needles are probably not seating. Make sure the float and needle assembly is made for alcohol. Also, the bypass regulator may need some work. If it's not bypassing enough fuel, it could be causing the carb to flood over.
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#6
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Quote:
Carb is a Quick Fuel carb made for alky http://www.quickfueltechnology.com/c...m-alcohol.html Fuel pressure is logged on the data loged on the data loger. It does spick to 10 PSI just after lunch but does not drop below 7. Fuel pump and regulator are matched
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#7
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If you look down the carb are the boosters dripping fuel? I agree with John, sounds like the fuel is getting by the needle and seat and flooding it. Have you played with the idle adjustment screws? What happens when they are turned all the way in?
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Come take a ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Y8Awfk2I0 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 Central Il Dragway Mod track champion and 2015 IHRA Div 5 Mod champion |
#8
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Quote:
Engine actuall idles better with Uni-Syn choking a barrel. Also when flushing the system of alky with gas engine idles pretty nice. Choking one barrel and idleing on gas, needs more alky when idleing????
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#9
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I was looking over your post at that "other" forum,did'nt really have a good answer for you,but I had noticed a few things that I did'nt care for in the way ya'll set-up that fuel system.
The most important thing about the fuel system set-up is you should'nt really run that bypass leg from the regulator back to the filter like ya'll did,it really should've been run back to the cell itself instead,as that eliminates the chances of aerating the fuel,also it wont affect the pump output when a whole bunch of fuel is being bypassed during times of low demand. And BTW the Comp 140 is'nt the biggest Mallory pump,the Comp 250 pump is,and IMO the Comp 250 would be a much better pump for a dedicated alcohol set-up,especially when a few other changes to the fuel system set-up would be made to accomodate that pump. And with that Comp 140 pump,you gotta remember to disable the pumps internal bypass when using it with a return regulator,so that maybe another area to look into as well. But I really dont think any of that ^^^^ has anything to do with your current problems. One thing that did come to mind is you said you had the QF carb apart,cleaned and re-assembled and such,mind if I ask,were new gaskets used when doing so? I ask because with domi's,you gotta be sure to not mix up the 2 circuit MB (metering block) gaskets with the 3 circuit MB gaskets. Also,drain all the fluid from those small liquid filled fuel pressure gauges! I say that because that glycerine in those liquid filled gauges will adversely affect the readings they give,so often what happens is the pressure in the system is'nt really what's showing on the gauge,and as a result guys often set the fuel pressure based on incorrect readings. I also agree that it would be a good idea to give the floats and the N&S a good once over again too. That,and as always be sure to check closely for any vacuum leaks. Just some food for thought,hope it helps. Bret P. |
#10
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With a couple of cyllinders rich enough to keep them from firing, I'd expect to see/feel/smell plenty of liquid alky out of those two header pipes.
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Anybody else on this planet campaign a M/T hemi Pontiac for eleven seasons? ... or has built a record breaking DOHC hemi four cylinder Pontiac? ... or has driven a couple laps of Nuerburgring with Tri-Power Pontiac power?(back in 1967) |
#11
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No fuel dripping from the header pipes. This did happen when we first test a barrowed carb to see if it would correct the over heat problem when it was running on gas. the alky dripped out the center four cylinders.
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#12
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Quote:
You are not the first to comment on the routing of the bypass leg. The tank only has one bung in it. I am thinking on pulling the tank cleaning it and welding in a second one. I have searched Summit for the Comp 250 but cannot find it. Does not mean it isn't there. The 140 is the largest one I find that is rated for Alcohal. I do not think fuel delivery and pressure is the problem, aeration of the fuel at low RPMs could be the answer and a bigger pump would only make that problem worse. The bypass to the tank would solve that problem if it is the problem (I like the idea, it makes sense and fits the smpontons). I have a data logger and fuel pressure is captured at the carb. fuel pressure peaks at 10 PSI just after the lunch, and never drops below 7. New gaskets were used, I rebuilt it once, and a professional tuner rebuilt it once. I am a novice, could have reassembled incorrectly, however being a novice I was very careful, looked at everthing as it came apare, compared holes and the impression in the old gaskets to make sure it went back together the way it came apart. 2 circuit metering block gaskets were used. Also the reason the carb was taken apart the first time is because of the problem, and it got 11 runs in Indy where there was no problem. (crab had to be right for those runs). Glycerine in gauges, incorrect readings. Interesting. I have two fuel pressure gauges and the data recorder sensor and they all say the same thing. We will try the new smaller air bleeds, I do not think this will solve the problem. Monday Matt will have an alky engine on the dyno. We will try this carb on that engine and that carb on this engine. this should elimate the carb. I really like the aeration suggestion and will pursure that. Your reply was of great help and much apprecaited!
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#13
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I had a thread asking questions of Quick Fuel Alky carb 950 worked those issues out . We were still working on the car since then and had'nt ran it at the track yet. This week started doing the same thing yours is . My friend just called me a minute ago and found at the hit of the throttle it's pulling the bowls dry, fuel pressure is good but with adjusting the floats almost below the sight suppose to run great they rev motor up to 6 grand an didn't miss. Won't no anymore until i get track time. Good Luck! Suppose to be and issue with Alky carbs, his is brand new also
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=666453
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84 T/A w/ IA 2 -- 505 N/A w/ Tiger heads / BOP intake. "Best time" 9.11@151.14/1.28 60ft. 77 Firebird formula 463 w TRW dome pistons w/ 4x's /edelbrock performer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK163BxD9EY Last edited by beastmaster; 06-17-2011 at 10:14 AM. |
#14
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and remember that alcohol is very corrosive so you might want to go through the entire system and evaluate it for compatability. the rubber stuff too
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#15
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I have no rubber hose anywhere in the system. The hard lines however are not coated and I flush the system after each weekend.
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#16
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The 'A' on the end is for alcohol.
I used the Comp 250 pump when I ran alky carbs. The pump has a different diaphragm for the alcohol. The pump worked great. (the carbs were a pain, ran great when good, but screwed up easily) You also need the alcohol regulator to go with it. The diaphragm is made for alky also.
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John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#17
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Quote:
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#18
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Ok, back from the track.
With the help of a bunch of people; We came away as Number one Qualifier in the Gasser Gang's Mod Gas class (all center steer vehicles and door cars 1970 and older) and finished in the money (way down, but did bring home some bucks!). All of the above fixes were incorrect. After much scratching of heads and contemplation, Paul notice the tops of the intake gasket was missing on the 1,3 and 2,4 runners on the intake. Sure enough that part of the gasket had been scuked into the intake. We tried silicone but it sucked that in also, then we laid wire ties across the holes and used 5 minute epoxy on top of that and the Red Green fix held for the day. Three sets of gaskets will be ordered on Monday, one for the fix and two for the trailer.
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#19
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Ok, put the last bolt in and set the scoop on it. I will fire it up in the morning. No racing this weekend as I have other stuff that needs to be done.
Intake runners were enlarged to fully cover the gasket. Gasket is Mr. Gasket #503G
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Glenn R. Lever Rochester, New York 14617-2012 Web Site http://www.leverfamilysite.com/ Front Engine Dragsters http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/ |
#20
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Glenn are you going to Empire tomorrow?
Jeff |
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