The carburetor on my '86 Fifth Ave is currently giving me fits.
Now I should back up a bit, about 10 years ago (or so), the original Holley 6280 feedback carburetor was giving a lot of fits, mainly because of the cheap gasoline used (previous owner) and sitting for long periods of time. I'm sure if I opened up, it would look quite nasty inside. Personally, I really dislike working on Holley's (any Holly) so started to look for a replacement.
Looking on eBay for a possible replacement, I found a new Carter BBD for sale. Personally, I feel the '77 non-lean burn Carter BBD's is one of the better versions – but there is a lot close runner ups.
This was years before I purchased my '77 wagon - which ironically also has a Carter BBD-8094s on it.
I bought it and when it arrived, I noticed it came from China. Yes, a Chinese Carter repop. I guess sense Carter has been out of business sense '84, that they can do that (me shrugs). If I recall correctly, it cost me about $160 (US) for the carb and another $15 for a new choke. The Carter BBD uses a different length choke rod than the Holley 6280/2280 does.
The carburetor worked better than the Holley did – but not at 100%. There is absolutely no markings on it indicating who made it (part or in whole) but it looks very close to the original.
The last few weeks, this carburetor is starting to act up. It starts and idles fine, but won't run worth a flip over 1500 RPM's (a problem with the main circuit – most likely with the air bleeds). Being 10ish years old, its time for an good cleaning and adjustment.
I also realized I had failed to check all of the carburetor adjustments before I had installed it – which is most likely why it has never ran at 100%.
Was looking online for a cheap carb kit (I'm cheap, what can I say), and found they are still selling the Chinese new Carter repops – but now the current price is about $80 (US) plus tax and freight. A new carb kit will cost about $30ish and I have another issue to contend with. My wife REALLY REALLY dislikes the smell of carb cleaner – so I've always tried to avoid the stuff unless I know she is on a business trip for a few days. I went ahead and bought another carb.
The new carb came in this week and I decided to get it adjusted to '77 318 automatic 49-state specifications (BBD-8094s).
The first thing I did was remove the carburetor top to adjust the float level. I should have taken pictures- but didn't. The float was set WAY low. Maybe the fuel bowl would hold about 1/3rd the fuel of what it should hold. I also noticed the brass float was covered with green corrosion - more than I would have expected.
Virtually every adjustment was no where close to where it should have been. It took me a good 2 hours to get it to specs – but part of that was getting correct size measuring tools. It takes time to do a good job. A rushed carburetor adjustment job will always give a person grief.
Another thing I noticed was linkage to baseplate interference when at WOT (Wide Open Throttle). As it was, the carburetor could stick in a WOT position - which is not cool!
I had to get a file out and file the baseplate down a smidge – but all works fine now.
I also had to file down a casting ridge on the top, because of minor choke plate interference. Anything that keeps any moving parts from working smoothly needs to be addressed.
I ran out of daylight to get her installed – but I feel confident it will work fine. I bet a good cleaning and adjustment will make the old one work much better – but I'll pin that project for another day.
The new (Left) and old (Right) Chinese copies:
The older one has about 40k miles on it (maybe).
I'll give an update after install and driven it for a while.
BudW
Now I should back up a bit, about 10 years ago (or so), the original Holley 6280 feedback carburetor was giving a lot of fits, mainly because of the cheap gasoline used (previous owner) and sitting for long periods of time. I'm sure if I opened up, it would look quite nasty inside. Personally, I really dislike working on Holley's (any Holly) so started to look for a replacement.
Looking on eBay for a possible replacement, I found a new Carter BBD for sale. Personally, I feel the '77 non-lean burn Carter BBD's is one of the better versions – but there is a lot close runner ups.
This was years before I purchased my '77 wagon - which ironically also has a Carter BBD-8094s on it.
I bought it and when it arrived, I noticed it came from China. Yes, a Chinese Carter repop. I guess sense Carter has been out of business sense '84, that they can do that (me shrugs). If I recall correctly, it cost me about $160 (US) for the carb and another $15 for a new choke. The Carter BBD uses a different length choke rod than the Holley 6280/2280 does.
The carburetor worked better than the Holley did – but not at 100%. There is absolutely no markings on it indicating who made it (part or in whole) but it looks very close to the original.
The last few weeks, this carburetor is starting to act up. It starts and idles fine, but won't run worth a flip over 1500 RPM's (a problem with the main circuit – most likely with the air bleeds). Being 10ish years old, its time for an good cleaning and adjustment.
I also realized I had failed to check all of the carburetor adjustments before I had installed it – which is most likely why it has never ran at 100%.
Was looking online for a cheap carb kit (I'm cheap, what can I say), and found they are still selling the Chinese new Carter repops – but now the current price is about $80 (US) plus tax and freight. A new carb kit will cost about $30ish and I have another issue to contend with. My wife REALLY REALLY dislikes the smell of carb cleaner – so I've always tried to avoid the stuff unless I know she is on a business trip for a few days. I went ahead and bought another carb.
The new carb came in this week and I decided to get it adjusted to '77 318 automatic 49-state specifications (BBD-8094s).
The first thing I did was remove the carburetor top to adjust the float level. I should have taken pictures- but didn't. The float was set WAY low. Maybe the fuel bowl would hold about 1/3rd the fuel of what it should hold. I also noticed the brass float was covered with green corrosion - more than I would have expected.
Virtually every adjustment was no where close to where it should have been. It took me a good 2 hours to get it to specs – but part of that was getting correct size measuring tools. It takes time to do a good job. A rushed carburetor adjustment job will always give a person grief.
Another thing I noticed was linkage to baseplate interference when at WOT (Wide Open Throttle). As it was, the carburetor could stick in a WOT position - which is not cool!
I had to get a file out and file the baseplate down a smidge – but all works fine now.
I also had to file down a casting ridge on the top, because of minor choke plate interference. Anything that keeps any moving parts from working smoothly needs to be addressed.
I ran out of daylight to get her installed – but I feel confident it will work fine. I bet a good cleaning and adjustment will make the old one work much better – but I'll pin that project for another day.
The new (Left) and old (Right) Chinese copies:
The older one has about 40k miles on it (maybe).
I'll give an update after install and driven it for a while.
BudW
