Author Topic: AFb Carburetor  (Read 1582 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Arthur

  • Buick Nut
  • ****
  • Posts: 42
  • 65 GS
AFb Carburetor
« on: November 07, 2016, 10:24:46 AM »
My carburetor goes dry after driving and sitting overnight. Is there a special heat gasket that should go between the carburetor and manifold to reduce the bowl from boiling the fuel away? I do not run the corn fuel. Help!
65 Buick Skylark GS 4 speed, HT flame red w black top, original owner

Offline cwmcobra

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 2360
  • The Verde Howitzer
    • Ginky Weeds Restoration Project
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2016, 10:42:11 AM »
Arthur,

Join the club!  I have two GS's and both seem to go dry very quickly.  It seems the current fuel is more volatile and evaporates more rapidly.  I'm not aware of a fix, but I'm all ears if you find one!

Chuck
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Verde Green/401/2x4 BBL/4-speed - AACA First Grand National - AACA National Award - BHA Outstanding GS - BCA Senior Gold
1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

BCA 48497
AACA 91100

Offline dsags

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1812
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2016, 12:41:15 PM »
The AFB's on mine are fine for overnight, or next day, operation. Typically one pump and the car starts right up. Beyond one day though and it will take a while to come to life.

There is supposed to be a thin stainless plate between the intake and carb gasket. The intention, I think, is to block off the heat passages at the front of the intake.

Dan
1965 Special Convertible, L33 LS, 4L60

Offline WkillGS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1992
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2016, 12:54:11 PM »
I'm planning on adding a small electric fuel pump to augment the stock mechanical fuel pump.
It will be installed up front just after the metal line leaves the frame rail. Will be wired (through a relay) into the switches on the gas pedal linkage..... when pedal is floored pump will turn on. Will work when starting- turn on ignition, press pedal to floor for a few seconds to fill carb, and when driving when pedal is floored. It will flow fuel even when it is powered off so it shouldn't interfere with mech pump operation.
Can also serve as a backup if the mech pump fails on a roadtrip.
Here's the pump I bought, Airtex E8016s:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C1LW0E/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline Arthur

  • Buick Nut
  • ****
  • Posts: 42
  • 65 GS
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2016, 04:50:43 PM »
Where can I get that stainless steel plate?  My car has had this problem since the 70s. Most likely started after I rebuilt the carb and left something out. I have always had to pump the heck out of it however it always fires. The fuel back when then started was not all that bad so I hope there is a fix.
65 Buick Skylark GS 4 speed, HT flame red w black top, original owner

Offline Loren At 65GS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3267
  • Senior Administrator
    • 65 GS dot com
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2016, 05:30:06 PM »
Try Carmen Faso in New York.
You'll have to call him.  He doesn't do internet.

Phone number is 716-693-4090

 Loren
65 GS hardtop BCA Senior
 65 GS thin pillar coupe
 65 Skylark coupe v-6
 65 GS hardtop restoration project
 65 Sport Wagon
 70 GS 455 htp / original engine
 94 Roadmaster wagon
 96 Roadmaster wagon- parts car
 63 Riviera

 BCA 14371
 BCA 65 Gran Sport Division

Offline vinnie

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 349
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2016, 05:36:03 PM »
Have the same issues with hard starting. Added an electric pump on the frame rail with a switch mounted under the dash and still running the original fuel pump. Not much help in starting. Question, the electric pump is only pushing the fuel to the original pump, correct? The original pump still has to push the fuel to the carb and fill the bowl which still causes hard starting. You see guys with other brands of cars hit the switch and the car starts right now. Kind of makes you MAD as you sit and crank.
Glenn V
1965 Skylark GS Hardtop  2017 BCA Senior Gold
2019 enclave
GSCA 2168
BCA 37942
AACA 915140

Offline Rollaround

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 724
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2016, 06:28:20 PM »
I've seen Vince trying to start his GS, it's hard to watch. Then I try to start my BBC and it's even more painful.
Kevin
Northwest Ohio
Working the endless restroation.

Offline cwmcobra

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 2360
  • The Verde Howitzer
    • Ginky Weeds Restoration Project
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2016, 08:46:32 PM »
Kevin,

Be careful who you're calling "Vince".  Glenn might not be impressed!  :-)

Yeah, my Cobra replica has an electric fuel pump and it sure makes me wish I could do the same with my GS. 

Glenn,  you make a good point about the location of the two pumps in the system.  I bet Walt will have an answer for us!

Chuck
Steve Shuman's 1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Flame Red/401/4 BBL/Automatic - BCA Archival Preservation
1965 Skylark GS Convertible: Verde Green/401/2x4 BBL/4-speed - AACA First Grand National - AACA National Award - BHA Outstanding GS - BCA Senior Gold
1965 Shelby Cobra Replica

BCA 48497
AACA 91100

Offline Mark Ascher

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1615
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2016, 09:30:42 PM »
Where can I get that stainless steel plate?  My car has had this problem since the 70s. Most likely started after I rebuilt the carb and left something out. I have always had to pump the heck out of it however it always fires. The fuel back when then started was not all that bad so I hope there is a fix.

The SS plate was being remade by an outfit in WI as recently as last year. I'll try and dig up the info.

Mark
65 GS HT 4 Speed - BCA Senior 2015; AACA Senior Grand National 2021
66 Impala 396/TH400/12 Bolt "Project Rodent Remediation" - Almost Done
69 Bel Air 2 Door Sedan "Project Junior Stock" - In Process
19 Chev Silverado Pickem Up (daily driver)

Offline WkillGS

  • Administrator
  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 1992
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2016, 10:38:21 PM »
The stainless plate and carb gasket are available from Russ Martin on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buick-nailhead-1966-1967-401-425-400-430-Q-jet-Quardrajet-Carburetor-heat-plate-/131986859872?hash=item1ebb07a760:g:3PAAAOSwstxVaSGh

Unsure if an electric fuel pump can push fuel through a mechanical pump, I'll have to look into that!
If that is a problem, the elec pump outlet could be tee'd into the fuel line between the mech pump and carb. The Airtex pump does have an internal check valve to prevent back flow through it.
Walt K
Eastern Pa

66 GS Astro Blue/blue 425 auto
66 GS Silver Mist/black 401 4 spd
66 GS Flame Red/black 401 5 spd
66 GS Saddle Mist/black 401 L76 auto
66 Special Flame Red/black 300 5 spd
65 GS vert Verde Green/ Saddle buckets 401 4 spd
79 Turbo Regal

Offline Rollaround

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 724
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2016, 06:11:01 AM »
Just call me fat finger Kevin. Sorry Vinnie breakfast is on me Wednesday.
Kevin
Northwest Ohio
Working the endless restroation.

Offline vinnie

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 349
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2016, 06:50:51 AM »
Kevin, I will have my usual for breakfast. Thanks Chuck.

Walt, your idea of teeing into the fuel line above the mechanical pump would also require a tee in the line between the mechanical and electric pump, if I am thinking correct, because there is only one fuel line. What will that bypass line do to the mechanical pump when the electric pump is not pumping? just more questions to figure out.
Glenn V
1965 Skylark GS Hardtop  2017 BCA Senior Gold
2019 enclave
GSCA 2168
BCA 37942
AACA 915140

Offline schlepcar

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 670
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2016, 08:33:16 AM »
If you just drive it every day it should start fine.....lol. I don't think it matters if it's an AFB,Edellbrock replica,or a Holley .....if it sits you'll be priming it with fresh gas or cranking it. Mine seemed a lot better after a carb rebuild and new fuel pump,but it does not fire right up after sitting a few weeks. The only carb I have that functions that well is a quadrajet.  I would say the pump and a good screen in the tank are the  first things to look at if you are cranking too long.If you can take the fuel line off at the filter and do not see good flow after cranking  several seconds,the carb is not your biggest problem. If you're just headed to breakfast and back I would recommend riding with Glenn because I know his car starts.

Offline telriv

  • Crazy about Buick!
  • *****
  • Posts: 242
Re: AFb Carburetor
« Reply #14 on: November 09, 2016, 07:59:15 PM »
This has been a problem with these carbs. since day one. Today it's even worse because the fuel evaporates so much faster. One thing no one has mentioned is the heat riser valve. If it's stuck closed or partially closed it will cause the carb. to get MUCH hotter than normal. With the way these cars are driven today they are really not needed. Same with the stainless plate. Just plug the holes.
Classic & Muscle Automotive
C/O Tom Telesco
12 Cook St.
Norwalk, Ct. 06853-1601
Daytime phone:
203-324-6045
No answer: leave message, will call back
E-Mail: telriv@yahoo.com