Cleaveland won't start, backfires through carb.

Asked by Fairlane351c Feb 14, 2018 at 04:37 PM about the 1964 Ford Fairlane Sedan

Question type: General

I have a 64 Fairlane that I've installed a 351c with Aussie heads, ProComp
diet and a Holly 750.  Once installed, the engine started and idled for about
a minute and then I shut it down.  I just wanted to make sure that it started
and ran.  The car set for about 6 months before I could get back to it and
now when trying to start, the engine tries to start, but won't, and
occasionally will backfire through the carb.  I'm getting about 6lbs of fuel
pressure and I can smell gas.  Nothing else has changed on the engine
except for setting the 6 months.  My suspicion is fuel is lean due to jets
partially blocked with fuel that's been setting in there for this long length of
time.  I am not a carb man and not sure if I should try to clean out the jets or
not.  Any suggestions?   Thanks

7 Answers

F_O_R answered 6 years ago

Check for spark and make sure the timing is correct. Try a little starting fluid in the carb. If it starts then you have a fuel delivery problem.

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Fairlane351c answered 6 years ago

Thanks. The timing has not been touched since it started 6 month ago and I made sure the bolt was tight. I have tried pouring gas down the carb, and it did pretty much the same. So does that rule out a fuel problem?

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Fairlane351c answered 6 years ago

I failed to mention that the engine, prior to putting in the car, was set up on a dyno machine and it ran just fine.

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F_O_R answered 6 years ago

Back firing indicates a timing problem. Possibly too far advanced.

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Fairlane351c answered 6 years ago

I failed to mention that the engine, prior to putting in the car, was set up on a dyno machine and it ran just fine.

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GuruL8TNS answered 5 years ago

Take the carby to get reconditioned,, i had the same problem with my 351 Cleveland, $34 latter i was blasting thru the hills

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GuruL8TNS answered 5 years ago

Ive got a problem with my one now, it sat for 7-8 months next to vegetation then wouldnt start,, water was in the tank, I rekon it was sabotaged it had 20 litres or so of water in the tank, i ceaned the water out of everything , got more petrol and engine start , i noticed the plugs were black so i cleaned them up , it still wont start , someone please help me i dont know mechanics

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