1920 problem...

[rangerslim]

Ok, went on line and purchased a remaned 1920 for my 232 800B. It runs up thru the rpms real good but will not idle...I can turn it up to where it will stay running at higher rpm's but causes the engine to hit and miss...I've adjusted it all I know how, someone point me in the right direction, thanks.

 

[Michael Mayben]

ok, went on line and purchased a remaned 1920 for my 232 800B. It runs up thru the rpms real good but will not idle...I can turn it up to where it will stay running at higher rpm's but causes the engine to hit and miss...I've adjusted it all I know how, someone point me in the right direction, thanks.

Typical pos commercial reman carb. Verify that all vacuum ports are properly capped except one "timed" port to use to connect to the distributor vacuum advance.

If that carb does not carry the "proper" Holley list number along with an ihc part number stamped in, then it's not a correct application for the version of the 232 that ihc used (it's an emissions thing). Rambler/amc used different emissions scenario on the versions of that engine installed in passenger cars, it is not an "they are all the same" kinda deal!

It's very likely you have a major vacuum leak somewhere, if that is not the case, then carb itself is a crap reman and the idle circuit is dead. Those carbs have a main well assembly that is non-buildable, no remanner can deal with that. It has to have some passage plugs drilled out, the main well cleaned (if possible) and then be properly re-plugged.

 

[rangerslim]

Good lord, it's sounds like it's a pos...there are only 2 vaccum ports on it and I plugged one, used the other for timing advance...and that's what it sounded to me like, a vacuum leak...I can put my carter carb back on it and it does fine...and it's the carb that we emailed back and forth about the other day...the numbers match my application when you looked it up....4542..

So is it trash time?

 

[Michael Mayben]

good lord, it's sounds like it's a pos...there are only 2 vaccum ports on it and I plugged one, used the other for timing advance...and that's what it sounded to me like, a vacuum leak...I can put my carter carb back on it and it does fine...and it's the carb that we emailed back and forth about the other day...the numbers match my application when you looked it up....4542..

So is it trash time?

No, not trash time, simply correct repair time!

There is a reason it won't idle. The most common is a crapped main well!

If the source of that remanned carb is reputable, then I'd take the issue up with them and have 'em simply replace it with a tested fresh carb like ya paid for!

 

[rangerslim]

Crapped main well meaning it needs to be cleaned? Could it be they sent me the wrong flange gasket? Just trying to cut down the possibilities....I mean, it has great throttle response and as long as I'm on the gas it runs like a champ...but when it goes down to idle it cuts off right away..

 

[Michael Mayben]

I don't have any 1920 carbs here for comparison presently...and I'm not familiar with the 232/258 intake manifold arrangement. But...if the intake manifold has one or two small diameter holes on the flange surface, then those are vacuum feeds to corresponding ports on the bottom of the carburetor throttle body. So that means "yes", you could have a vacuum port being blocked if the gasket does not have a matching hole to allow vacuum signal passage.

There are many variations of the throttle body-to-manifold gasket. Some have no holes, some have one, some have several so that no matter how the gasket is placed, the correct hole aligns. When a 1920 carburetor is used on a four cylinder ihc 196 manifold, it does not use any vacuum feed through the manifold as they don't use that feature. Those use a different list number that is somewhat different regarding the vacuum port arrangements.

A pic of the manifold flange and the carb throttle body surface, along with the gasket would help make a determination.

 

[rangerslim]

Ok, here is a few pictures of the Holley in question, with and without the gasket and my now setup. The intake has a flange that has a port on the side that goes to the pvc valve. There is no other holes on the flange anywhere.

 

[rangerslim]

Ok, changed out the gasket this weekend with a solid gasket...still no go..and I did verify that there is no gas going into the main well at idle..so, do I tear into this thing or just go ahead and send it back? Thanks.

 

[rangerslim]

Sent the rag back, got a carter....now runs like a champ...