C2- Sticking Holley

[Donald M.]

Here we go again with the 3810 problems! Now, the car sits for about a week or so, when I go to set the choke by depressing the accelerator to the floor, I get the pedal about halfway and it stops, then I can force it by that sticky spot and go the rest of the way. Oddly enough, it doesn't do it any more that day and the throttle linkage functions as it should while driving. I put some Lock-Ease oil on the secodary throttle plates where they rest against the secondary bores (I have the linkage tricked up to open secondaries mechanically) and it pretty much corrected the problem. But, the next time, it did the same thing.I'm concerned that I may be stressing something (T/plates, linkage, etc.) and will eventually cause damage. I live in a humid environment, could it be corrosion? It never happened before.
Don

[John H.]

Re: C2- Sticking Holley

Don -

How do you have the linkage "tricked"? The carb is designed so that the secondaries are prevented from opening when the choke is on, but they open via vacuum, so there is no obstruction to fully opening the throttle when cold in order to set the choke for starting. If you have some sort of "trick" in the linkage to open the secondaries mechanically, it's probably interfering with the choke secondary lockout function when pressing the throttle for cold start.

[Joe C.]

Re: C2- Sticking Holley

Don:

Possibly could be shaft bushings. Also, if you removed or loosened the butterfly-to-shaft retaining screws, it can cause an ever so slight movement in the plate, which will alter the alignment, and cause a bind.

Does it happen with the linkage disconnected?
How did you "trick up" the secondaries to open mechanically? Did you install one of those cheapo cam-with-adjustable-stop-screw doohickies? If so, then it is very possible that when the cam hits the stop, and begins to open the secondaries, that that is where the bind occurs.
Why don't you go back to the vacuum secondaries?

Joe

[Donald M.]

Re: C2- Sticking Holley

Joe and John, I knew I'd create a "tempest in a teapot" when I mentioned the tricked out linkage.I like the kick when the secondaries open all at once instead of ho-hum vacuum.When you have a 300HP small block, anything helps! Seriously, it's been that way for 20+ years, so I don't think it's causing the bind. I do think it may be a misalignment of the butterfly with the shaft as I recently had the carb rebuilt. The carb was perfect for 1 year, but this binding just started about 4 months ago. I'll check the shaft/plate alignment. Sounds crazy, but how about a dab of grease on the throttle bore where the butterfly contacts it?
Don

[Joe C.]

Re: C2- Sticking Holley

Don:

If the bind is minor, you can use a fine file and gently work the area where the interference is. This will only work IF YOUR SHAFT BUSHINGS ARE AOK. I do not believe that lube will live very long in that environment.

Joe