Running rich?
 

Hello all,
It's been awhile since I've posted.... Life has a habit of getting in the way LOL

I'm burning through spark plugs every 4 months or so. Now, I know that some of it is going to be because of the type of driving that I do each day (it's your typical stop/start and I live about 3 miles from work). So, the old man isn't getting the run that he needs/deserves..... There is one stretch where the speed limit is about 35 and I might sneak him up to 50 for a minute or two when traffic is good. But that's about it.

Anyway, despite the crappy driving conditions, I would've thought I should be getting more out of the spark plugs?

The fouling that I'm getting is leading me to think I'm running too rich (the plugs are carbonized and dry). Also, when I've got new plugs in I don't need to use the choke at all to start him, even in winter (or what passes for winter over here.... it got down to 45 last night!).

So, I guess my question is how do I confirm if I'm correct in my assumptions? If I am, what's the process to fix the problem? Part of what I'm struggling with is I don't know how to identify what model of carb I'm running, so it's a bit difficult to research what my options are as far as that's concerned.....

For some context, I'm definitely in the learning stages. So I'm likely going to ask a dumb question or 20 along the way.

Thanks!

Re: Running rich?
 

Jmclendon; would post up a photo of what you have under the hood so we can help identify your carburetor.

Re: Running rich?
 

A couple of glamour shots lolhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0ad5559e06.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e867453da0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...98ca99e71e.jpg

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Re: Running rich?
 

You have a Stromberg WW, stock carb for a 305E.

Sounds like the a/f screws are way to far out or that carb is due for a rebuild. By the looks of it there's some fuel seepage from the accelerator pump gasket. Has anything been done to the carb?

Re: Running rich?
 

Thanks for the info! If you don't mind me asking, what's the giveaway that it's a Stromberg WW?

I'm glad it's stock though, because at least I can be confident the shop manual I've got will be of some use.

I'm told it was rebuilt before I bought the truck. But, I can't prove it. The last time I took it into the shop, the mechanic tinkered with it a bit..... I've not been back since (that's a whole saga, but the end result is that I'd prefer to learn and do the work myself from now on).

Re: Running rich?
 

I had a quick Google and found the following manual:
http://www.russellsnewoldparts.com/u...romberg_ww.pdf

Possibly a dumb question, but how important is it to have a manual that's specifically for a 61 GMC? I guess what I'm not sure of is how much variation there would be from one year to the next, and one vehicle type to the next.

Re: Running rich?
 

It looks exactly like the ww that was on my 305e lol

Year specific never hurts and a manual for carbs specs is a must when rebuilding. You'll want things set factory and then you can tinker from there if needed. :ok:

Re: Running rich?
 

[QUOTE=Jmclendon;67564]Thanks for the info! If you don't mind me asking, what's the giveaway that it's a Stromberg WW?

On the back of the carburetor it will normally be cast and say Bendix Stromberg WW:lolsmack2:

Re: Running rich?
 

[QUOTE=bigblockv6;67569]Fair enough LOL Seems like a good excuse to get a decent shop light.

Re: Running rich?
 

Couple simpler things to check to,

Timing....What's your initial set at?

Air filter....that one is pretty small and restrictive....is it full of dust and dirt?

Also check the choke adjustment for the heck of it, may be out of adjustment causing the butterfly to be closed just enough to make the engine run to rich.