1985 Dodge Truck Carb issues

Tiny
OPS154
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 DODGE TRUCK
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I rebuilt the 318 engine I have in my truck, including sending it in to a machine shop to have it tanked and new freeze plugs put in. Every part inside of the engine is new, complete rebuild with the exception of the block and crank. Crank was turned, blocked hot tanked. Engine seems to be running ok but when I rebuilt the carb on it the darn thing is leaking like nothing I have seen before. I have verified multiple times it was the correct rebuild kit but it seems the three main gaskets in-between the parts are leaking (pumping gas all over in a matter of seconds. Carb is a Holey, and stock for this truck. I have replaced all the same parts and everything seemed to line up just fine while rebuilding it. I have taken it back off and tightened all the screws and yet it still leaks like the gaskets are not even there. The kit I bought did not have a new float and someone mentioned that may be the problem. Any help would be greatly appriciated as I need this thing running soon and I really don't want to have to tow it to a shop and spend even more money than I already have. This entire project started out just replacing a gasket in the engine and I found no place I could stop without causing more problems so any free info is needed. :)
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 10:39 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Is this a 2 bbl or 4 bbl carb?
Is it leaking out the bowl(s) to the outside or inside down the venturies?
Is the float adjustable from the top of the float bowl?
Please advise.
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Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
OPS154
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
2bbl

I took the carb back off and adjusted the floats since I had not done that when I rebuilt it. When they were all the way up the little metal tab was not touching the needle so I re-adjusted everything and now it seems to be just fine. It was leaking from everywhere, vac lines, gaskets and bottom. Now no leaks. :) No leaks but the guy I have working on it with me (not a paid professional) thinks the white smoke now coming out of my tail pipe is caused by the carb running too rich. Does that sound possible? It isn't enough to fill the air around the truck but it is noticable. Oil still looks good, radiator water still green as when I first filled it. Just have white smoke coming from tailpipe and more than I like to see after all the time, money and energy re-building it.
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
On a Holley carb, there should be a fuel level adjusting plug on the side of the float bowl. With this plug removed, the float level should be adjusted so fuel just starts to run out of this hole. This level will give you the best performance and economy.
On the "white smoke" issue. I've pulled a lot of motors and in doing so, it's almost impossible to do it without spilling some coolant into the exhaust header pipes. If this be the case, it takes quite a while for this to burn out of the system. If it persists, you may want to be concerned.
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Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 AT 1:20 PM

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