Carter 4bbl set up

[XP29]

Hi. On my 383 is a Carter 4bbl, when I got the car it was smelling very rich to the point of being quite unbearable if you stood behind the car. I have no idea of the history of the carb, but it looked aged. I know the car had sat from around 1995 till 2014 and as it was having trouble starting I thought the accelerator pump could have dried out and failed. So I got a rebuild kit and with the help of a friend who knows more than I do we took it apart and rebuilt it. Sure enough the accelerator pump was shot.

Looking at the paperwork with the kit for 1966 Dodge/Chrysler we put the accelerator pump to the middle hole on the linkage and float level to 7/32 and float drop to 23/32. Turned the idle mixture screws out 1 1/2 turns and fired the car up. It now drives better than it did and smells less. But it does still smell rich when it's running. When you take the oil filler cap off that also smells like its running rich. Also when I'm pottering around it dives nice, but when I get to put my foot down a bit if I let off the gas and go back on it bogs down quickly before picking up again.

I'm not sure what the timing should be or is set at, this was done by previous owner. It does fire up good and on the whole runs well. Any advice on this please?

[Pete]

I am not an expert (or a fan) of the Carter as they are not very flexible in terms of Tuning.

As Steve (Latil) said, you really need to confirm the timing is well set.
On modern fuels the engines like a LOT of initial timing, BUT can only take 34 degrees of full advance, so it is a bit of nip and tuck on a stock distributor.

There are COUNTLESS threads on setting timing on this board - just use the "Search" facility, so have a browse.

Once the timing is ok you can turn your attention to the Fuel delivery.
An overhaul kit is good for the carb, not sure how easy it is to get one, unlike a Holley.

When I have worked on old Carters I have found the accelerator diaphragm wears and does not pump enough fuel so a lean bog results (I don't think it delivers enough even when it is working correctly).

I bet as you lift your foot off the gas the car picks up?


As with most things, you just have to work the problem and fix / rule out all aspects one thing at a time....

I can take my Snap on Timing light to Duxford if you wish......

[XP29]

Hi Pete,

I got a refurb kit for the carb which is fitted, the accelerator pump and diaphragm are new. But I have never set a carb up before, we just followed the kit instructions for the setting up.

I dont think it picks up as I lift off the gas, or it's not noticable if it does. Driving around town it drives great, on open roads it pulls really well. I notice the bogging down (or what I think of as that) on the twisty roads where I can be on and off the gas at speed

It does have a stock dizzy fitted, I picked up a Petronix ignition module as I would like to make it as reliable as possible and less need for adjustment.

But it does really need someone who knows what they are doing to go over it to set it up right. This is my first V8 or American car so everything is new to me.

If you don't mind bringing the light along any help would be appreciated.

Chris