I'm having a problem adjusting my Carter carb, I have read the book but I can't seem to get the car running right. I rebuilt the carb, read the Buick manual on adjustments. I used a feeler gauge to set the correct settings, I took apart the linkage and made adjustments from the gas peddle to the carb per the books specifications. I even bought a dash pot which I think is a great addition; the original owner threw it out.

On the mixture screws how many turns out should I set them, right now I'm at 1 full turn, but I was told 1 1/2 to good. The choke is automatic and I’m not sure if I need to turn the spring one full turn then put the choke back on or just slide the choke right on. I have three gaskets where the carb sits on the intake should I go to one does it make a big difference?

Right now I’m running to rich.

Any suggestions, tips or tricks?

Also the exhaust has a heat coil and spring missing and the exhaust is rusted open, I’m thinking about taking it off and blasting it so I can get it working, does this make a difference when the car is cold, I’ve been told to just set it open and leave it because they rust all the time?

on my carter...i have one gasket to the intake. i closed the adjusters all the way. and turned them a quarter each. and would adjust each from there on idle. i think im on one full turn on each....my linkage is all the way down, i idle at about 1,200 RPMS. its the best i can get witout it too rich or too lean.
If your exhaust is breathing alot you will be running rich.

On my 1950 the manual says 1 full turn for the idle mixture screws. For the auto choke put the choke cover on, turn it counter clockwise (towards the firewall) just until it you see the choke move. keep moving it until the mark on the cover and lines up one mark towrds the firewall (richer) on the carb. This is what the manual says. The choke should close full when cold, but open up 3/16 when throttle is fully open.

Mark

I changed my Gasket out and noticed I had one gasket and two thick adapters which the book shows. I then set my idle screws 1 full turn and I adjusted my choke one notch forward pass the main mark as the book suggested. I tested the throttle wide open and measured 3/16. The car is still struggling for air and when the choke is closed is will not start but when it almost wide open it starts.

I live in CO Denver area do you think the lack of oxygen has something to do with this?

Take off the air cleaner and see how it runs, if its happer then you may have a air cleaner problem. alleycat

With the AIR cleaner off the engine surges, it can't keep a steady idle.

When I first got my '50 Special I had a really bad problem with it running rich. I finally traced it down to holes on the top of the inside intake manifold runners, inside the carb heater box. There were 3/8 rust holes on the top sides of the runners. I found them by removing the manifold from the engine and filling it with water through the carb holes and plugging the engine port side. Water then ran out through the heater box!! I have since found a different manifold. They were sucking are straight from the exhaust!!

Great Balls of Fire,

Great diagnosis! That must have been a fun one...

Hi clownpuncher,

I do not have an idea regarding your problem, yet.

But as far as the choke setting is concerned: You say that you car only starts when the choke is almost open, which does make sense.
In the manual it probably says as to the choke setting (at least in the 1956 it says so) that from the middle mark, turning the cap clockwise will enrichen the mixture and turning it counterclockwise will lean out the mixture (by opening the choke). Leaning out the mixture on choke is for the use of highly volatile fuel! Compared with 1950s fuel, for which the carbs were designed, today's fuel is highly, highly volatile. So, a lean setting with the choke a bit open is fine for today's fuel (as you have already experienced). I adjusted my choke one notch after the other into the lean and noticed how she fired up after every change. I am far out of the notched area into the lean now and she starts fine ! (Except that after one week standing, the carb has dryed out... So much for the volatility of the stuff!)

Best regards
Kindacool

Thanks guys I'm looking into this Friday night, I'm going to trouble shoot this tomorrow and see if i can nail it down. I just order exhaust from front to back. My current muffler is rusted and I walk out of my garage smilling like gas.

So hopefully I will have this down by tomorrow.