350 won't idle after vortec head swap

[fatcat92]

Well, the intake gasket change didn't solve my problems... learned a valuable leason there... don't go throwing money at things. I changed the carb back to the one that came with the truck initially, an edelbrock (1406) instead of the holley that I was borrowing when the engine overheated. It seems to be running fine, but I want someone more knowledgeable to come and see as I don't want to wreck anything. Thinking about getting a new holley truck avenger carb, does anyone know anything about this carb or if there is a better one for inclines?

Edit: I would like to add that I looke down the mounting pad on the carb, and it didn't seem truely flat on one side, I don't know if I overtorqued it or it got heated and warped on the old intake but I think this was my problem

 

[blazer74]

You have it running that's good news.

That's all it takes sometimes is a part you think is good throwing you off.

Put a straight edge on the base of the carb to see if its warped.

Holleys can blow the power valve in them causing idle issues.

 

[fatcat92]

Yeah, definitely can be one bad part, or more. At first it was misfiring and would run so bad wouldn't idle, couldn't for the life of me figure it out, had a dream about sparkplugs and looked at that and turned out that vortec heads call for longer spark plugs (why don't they use the same ones? Geez). And then it ran fine after spark plug change but no idle. I mean I thought for sure I had intake leak in the manifold.... stupid me for taking it back apart and spending another $95 (Yes, its absurd, but I was hoping these were the best and wouldn't get coolant everywhere after 2-3 years) on intake gaskets and redoing it... oh well.... learned a real valuable lesson anyways.

 

[blazer74]

I used the Gm perfrmance gaskets, that was 5 years ago with no issues.

 

[riflerk20]

Well, the intake gasket change didn't solve my problems... learned a valuable leason there... don't go throwing money at things. I changed the carb back to the one that came with the truck initially, an edelbrock (1406) instead of the holley that I was borrowing when the engine overheated. It seems to be running fine, but I want someone more knowledgeable to come and see as I don't want to wreck anything. Thinking about getting a new holley truck avenger carb, does anyone know anything about this carb or if there is a better one for inclines?

Edit: I would like to add that I looke down the mounting pad on the carb, and it didn't seem truely flat on one side, I don't know if I overtorqued it or it got heated and warped on the old intake but I think this was my problem

I've always had good luck with the 1406, I just added the springs to keep the floats from bouncing. I ended up replacing it with the truck avenger because the edelbrock would die on a steep hill.

 

[rayfin]

Use the intake gaskets that are metal and rubber. I was suing 1/2 qt oil a day. No leaks on the outside. Would not idle correctly. GM style Intake gaskets fixed it.

 

[rayfin]

Use the intake gaskets that are metal and rubber. I was suing 1/2 qt oil a day. No leaks on the outside. Would not idle correctly. GM style Intake gaskets fixed it.

11 psi torque...

 

[fatcat92]

Use the intake gaskets that are metal and rubber. I was suing 1/2 qt oil a day. No leaks on the outside. Would not idle correctly. GM style Intake gaskets fixed it.

Yeah it is what I got in the first place.