projectheaven

Hello,

Is it possible for a carb to run so rich that it can make the inside of your car smell like gas? I swear when I step on my pedal and really get going my eyes water like i'm cutting onions.

The carb is a Holley.

Eric Anderson

If it's not a fuel leak somewhere my next thought would be a float problem, was it good until recently?

projectheaven

Actually,It's been that way since I installed the Holley carb.I was thinking about a fuel leak though.I have to check the fuel lines once it stops raining here in supposedly sunny California.

BILL DEMMER

it is absolutely possible.
an exhaust leak will help this occur.


bill

Eric Anderson

What carb do you have on it? It might just be too big like an 850 double pump on a stock 350 or something like that.

projectheaven

I have a holley 600 cfm carb on it.I was actually thinking going bigger like a 650 or 750 because the motor been rebuilt with a few goodies.

Eric Anderson

Just had to make sure, I used to to regularly whip this guy I knew he had a dodge dart w/ a 340 and he ran a 750 double pump it was like pouring a can of gas through the engine, I told him all the time to change his carb but he never listened and I kept beating him IMHO I would check everything over good to make sure there are no leaks then you can dig into the carb holleys are pretty easy to work with.

cutlassefi

Just a word of mention. Remember you can have a carb that is "too big" run lean and one that's "too small" run rich. Don't mistake air flow with fuel mixture. Yes, a carb that has venturis that are too large for your application will tend to run poorly, whether rich or lean, but so will a smaller carb that isn't jetted correctly as well.

The carb needs a good vacuum signal to the boosters. When that signal improves, normally you need to drop a jet size or two. You've just made it more efficient.

My bet is it may be jetted wrong or maybe even have a faulty power valve. Check everything closely.

Eric Anderson

Good explanation cutlassefi, I should have mentioned the guy w/ the dart had his carb jetted way too rich, the reason for that little story was I've seen alot of guys make the mistake of bigger is faster instead of correct is faster, one more thing whenever I would tear a holley down I would put a power valve saver in I think spectre makes them its just a little check valve, they are cheap and it saves your power valve if you get a good pop back through your carb.