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1973 Satellite Carburetor / fuel question

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7:42 AM
Joined
Jun 18, 2017
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Location
Canton, ma
Hi Everyone,
after about a year of sitting, I recently tried to get my 1973 satellite 318 2bbl running.

To start, I overhauled the 2BBL carter carburetor. Once finished, I replaced my fuel filter and starting working on the spark issues.

Two weeks later, I finished up the spark problem only to find the carburetor was in desperate need of a second overhaul. Even though the carb had only been installed a few weeks prior (with a new filter), the inside was covered in a jelly / outmeal / caviar type substance. Probably a few tablespoons at least.

I imagine this was due to the ethanol separating and probably some water in the gas. I was surprised at how much there was and that it was able to pass through the fuel pump and filter.

I siphoned out the tank (the gas did not appear to be dirty) and added six fresh gallons.

How should I proceed?
Drain the tank and blow out the lines?
Change filter and overhaul the carb?

I should also note that the car did backfire through the carb. I believe this was due to the fuel running lean. I performed a compression test and found less than ideal results, but nothing that I believe would show a stuck valve (a few cylinders registered 87 psi. Most were around 110).
 
1. Fuel "jelly" --> I think you're right about having water & old fuel in there. If it were me, I'd just try to siphon out the gas and/or drive through it & change the fuel filter about once/week for a month. Adding "Heet" (the red bottle is best) will also help the water mix into the gasoline....it won't hurt the motor.

2. Backfire Through The Carb --> Could be lean, but could also be an intake valve hanging open. Of the top of my head, maybe run an engine oil flush (READ/FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY) & change the oil. Give it an "old Italian tune up" and drive it hard for a few miles to hopefully break off and carbon that may have collected in the valve seats. Change the PCV valve. If the backfire through the carb doesn't go away, then maybe pull the valve covers & look at the rockers/pushrods & lifters.

Anyone else have more/better advice on #2?
 
Here we go- drizzle some water down carb while running about 2-2500rpm to break up carbon, don't flood it out! Or GM top engine cleaner & read the directions and follow exactly. That stuff really eats up carbon on valve seats. #1-also check charcoal cannister if u still have one. All ur trying to do w/water is create some steam& kinda like bead blasting to knock off carbon, don't want to hydraulic lock engine with too much water though.
 
Great info all around. I was able to get the engine to idle (still have yet to fully overhaul the carb a second time), albeit with very high rpm. Wasn't able to see much difference in rpm by adjusting the mix, so I bet the carb is still pretty gunked up.

I guess I should start with an overhaul of the carb. If I can get it to idle, consistently, I should be able to burn off some of the gas (siphoned most of the old stuff out and added new) and try some of the carbon cleaning methods. I did add some oil to the weak cylinders, but it did not raise the compression, so I bet it is related to carbon build up.

Thanks for the advice!
 
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