When we first put the 57 ford intake on my fairlane , the car would start but would not idle in gear, I even drove the car as it died when I slowed down or stopped an then would restart.
Now the car will not start , I've tried new plugs, a different carburetor and all it does is flood out the plugs if you try to start it too long , I'm at my wits end.
I thought the upgrade would go smoothly and I would be pleased.
I installed a 57 ford intake "correct Ford" number, a #8383 MSD distributor and a Holley 0-8--7 Carburetor " I think 4160 series", so today I'm going to start over and go over the wiring , ground and make sure something hasn't been over looked, please be helpful in posing your comments ,if you have any ?

Check the fuel pressure, I have had problems with new aftermarket fuel pump putting out to much pressure, I like to see 3.5 to 5 lbs at the carb.

Did you remove the ballast resistor? I had a similar problem recently. I had to remove it and run the ignition wire straight to the coil to get the full 12 volts needed for the MS dizzy.

Durham Missouri

Yes ballast resistor is removed and the wires are wired together on the coil so thta's not an issue.

My neighbor came over this evening and worked on the car for a while, he could get the car to start but it would not stay running. like it was losing spark. weird

Frustrating, isn't it. I've been there. Picking thru your post, sometimes you've got fouled plugs, other times it's "losing spark". If it starts, I'm inclined to think it's got spark. If it won't run once the airflow comes up, I'm inclined to look at the carb. Even if it's new. If the plugs are wet, somethings dumping fuel and when they get wet enough either they won't fire, or the mixture is so rich it won't burn. A new MSD dizzy with a good coil should have plenty of spark. Sometimes electrical things break down from heat, but it doesn't seem it runs long enough for that to be the problem.

You've got a good combination there, and it shouldn't take the sorting out you're going thru. Take a deep breath, you'll find it. Someone else will chime in with more. I'm not a Holley expert, so I can't help much there.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

sounds like a vacuum leak, check the gaskets.

I did have to lower the float levels front and back on my brand new quick fuel because it was letting gas flow out the air tubes directly into the carb and flood out the engine. Being new does not always mean it's right from the factory.



-Gary Burnette-

Thanks, at least you lifted my spirits.

Had a vacuum modulator on the AT that went bad once ended up sucking ATF into the manifold and would seek like a vacuum leak--Smoked like a blown Head gasket and wouldn't run when put in gear.
Only advice I can offer is rule things out one at a time. I was researching crate motors to replace before I found it-thought the motor was done.

Keep after it-it's probably the simplest cause.

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC