Ported vacuum on carb

Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:15 PM
  #1  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Ported vacuum on carb

Why would I get a reading of 10hg at idle on this port on my Holley 770 Street Avenger carb, when the diagram shows it's for the distributor advance? If I'm not mistaken, this is ported vacuum, correct? And ported vacuum should be zero at idle, right?


Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:30 PM
  #2  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,202
From: Earth
About the only thing which comes to mind (directly anyways) is the idea maybe the throttle blades aren't closed at idle e.g. they're slightly open?
Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:34 PM
  #3  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
About the only thing which comes to mind (directly anyways) is the idea maybe the throttle blades aren't closed at idle e.g. they're slightly open?
Ok Norm, let's run with this if you'll indulge me. How would the throttle blades being partially open cause a vacuum? Is it because manifold vacuum is being pulled down through the partially open blades?
Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:35 PM
  #4  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,202
From: Earth
Originally Posted by 72455
Ok Norm, let's run with this if you'll indulge me. How would the throttle blades being partially open cause a vacuum? Is it because manifold vacuum is being pulled down through the partially open blades?
Yes.
Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:37 PM
  #5  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,202
From: Earth
Well, after re-reading your post...I think it's more likened to the intake manifold vacuum is being pulled "up" above the throttle blades and entering the ported vacuum source located above the throttle blades.
Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:47 PM
  #6  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by Vintage Chief
Well, after re-reading your post...I think it's more likened to the intake manifold vacuum is being pulled "up" above the throttle blades and entering the ported vacuum source located above the throttle blades.
How would I verify this? Look down inside the carb?
Old Jan 22, 2024 | 06:59 PM
  #7  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,202
From: Earth
Originally Posted by 72455
How would I verify this? Look down inside the carb?
Honestly, I can't answer your question specifically for a couple reasons. I believe my logic is correct in assuming you're pulling intake manifold vacuum into your ported vacuum source. However, I can't say how far open your throttle blades should be at idle on a Holley 770 Street Avenger 1/64", 1/32", 1/8", 1/4"...I just don't know. You asked a good question, you shouldn't have any vacuum at that timed sparked advance port at idle since it's supposed to be ported vacuum (above the throttle blades). How you're obtaining that vacuum just seems logical it's coming from intake manifold vacuum. I mean I hope it's just an adjustment you need to make and nothing serious like a crack. I'd assume there's a specification setting in the Holley manual which demonstrates the throttle blades position in the running idle position.

If I couldn't find it in a manual, I'd probably do something similar to keeping the vacuum gauge hooked up to that timed sparked advance port and lightly push down on the throttle blades until you arrive at no vacuum? Guess anyways.
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 05:05 AM
  #8  
Dynoking's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 363
What is the current idle speed (RPM) of the engine?
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 05:11 AM
  #9  
Vintage Chief's Avatar
Running On Empty
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 26,202
From: Earth
Originally Posted by Dynoking
What is the current idle speed (RPM) of the engine?
Excellent question - I missed thinking of his curb idle speed (RPM).
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 05:18 AM
  #10  
oddball's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,148
From: Plano, TX
Originally Posted by 72455
Ok Norm, let's run with this if you'll indulge me. How would the throttle blades being partially open cause a vacuum? Is it because manifold vacuum is being pulled down through the partially open blades?
Because that's how "ported" vacuum ports work on a carb. "vacuum" is present underneath the throttle blades, but the throttle blades move!
The "manifold" ports are holes located under the throttle blades. The "ported" is a hole located inside one of the throttle bores - should be the front right on a holley - such that when at idle the hole is above the blade so there's no vacuum at that point. Once throttle is opened a little that hole is now below the blade so it sees manifold vacuum. If idle is messed up and the idle screw is screwed way in then the idle position will have the hole exposed. It only takes a few turns of the screw to be "way" off.
Take off the carb and look at the bottom of the throttle blade. You should see an extra hole in the right side bore - in the base plate, not the carb body - that's the ported vacuum.

Old Jan 23, 2024 | 05:45 AM
  #11  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by dynoking
what is the current idle speed (rpm) of the engine?
950
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 05:46 AM
  #12  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by oddball
Because that's how "ported" vacuum ports work on a carb. "vacuum" is present underneath the throttle blades, but the throttle blades move!
The "manifold" ports are holes located under the throttle blades. The "ported" is a hole located inside one of the throttle bores - should be the front right on a holley - such that when at idle the hole is above the blade so there's no vacuum at that point. Once throttle is opened a little that hole is now below the blade so it sees manifold vacuum. If idle is messed up and the idle screw is screwed way in then the idle position will have the hole exposed. It only takes a few turns of the screw to be "way" off.
Take off the carb and look at the bottom of the throttle blade. You should see an extra hole in the right side bore - in the base plate, not the carb body - that's the ported vacuum.
I get that, but there should be zero vacuum on the port at idle, correct?
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 06:15 AM
  #13  
oldcutlass's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42,506
From: Poteau, Ok
Originally Posted by 72455
I get that, but there should be zero vacuum on the port at idle, correct?
Not unless the idle speed is too high and the carb is running out of the idle circuit. Try turning the idle speed down, 950 is a bit high.
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 08:02 AM
  #14  
Dynoking's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 363
I'll assume that 950 RPM is with the transmission in neutral which is too high. I don't know what camshaft the engine has but for stock or very close to stock (think RV type) the idle RPM should be no higher than 750 in neutral. If equipped with an auto trans the idle RPM is best adjusted with the park brake on firmly, the rear drive wheels chocked, and the transmission in drive. The idle RPM should be set to no higher than 650 RPM. Then you can check for vacuum at the timed vacuum port. JMTC.

Last edited by Dynoking; Jan 24, 2024 at 05:34 AM.
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 11:32 AM
  #15  
Fun71's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,432
From: Phoenix, AZ
Just switch your distributor vacuum advance to a full manifold vacuum source. Your engine will likely thank you for that.
Old Jan 23, 2024 | 12:04 PM
  #16  
72455's Avatar
Thread Starter
1972 U code Supreme
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,114
From: Chesapeake, VA
Originally Posted by Fun71
Just switch your distributor vacuum advance to a full manifold vacuum source. Your engine will likely thank you for that.
I've already tried that and it runs better on ported.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
72455
Big Blocks
95
Nov 21, 2021 06:20 AM
Chris6542
General Questions
6
May 6, 2020 11:27 PM
abrasv
General Discussion
3
Mar 25, 2018 09:40 AM
PT72drop
Small Blocks
6
Jan 22, 2016 12:21 PM
woodie582
Small Blocks
4
Nov 17, 2008 01:08 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:54 PM.