1969 chevy c-10

i have a 69 chevy with a 350ci a holley 650 a lunati cam, 10:1 compression and a 4 speed behind it.... the truck doesnt start even after cranking for an hour, but sometimes it starts in one try. once it starts the idle will hold steady until i close the hood or put the air cleaner on and it takes off.
the main problem is the starting and the lack of power(falls on its face on take off). sometimes it seems like it has fuel and sometimes it doesnt. i have adjusted the valves, re timed the cam and ignition... new hei cap rotor and coil. new carb..pretty much a completely new engine.:banghead: any help is appreciated .

sounds like you have a nasty carb problem, What is the size of the cam? Have you tryed swapping metering jets around?

sorry dont know much about carbs :shakehead it is brand new but hasnt been ''tuned''... all i know is that the cam advertised duration is 310 it was the largest i could go with stock valve springs.. i have had someone tell me the carb is too big but i have had a 750 edelbrock on a stock 350 that ran fine ...

do you think i should get smaller jets. if so,, they are the ones screwed in the side of the metering block located inside the fuel bowl correct????

I had similar symptoms in my 69 pickup a couple of years ago. After rebuilding the carb and other troubleshooting measures, I finally had to swap out the fuel tank. Apparently, 30+ years of dust, rust, and gunk in the fuel tanks was plugging the carb jets.

Never had anymore problems after swapping out the tank.

I like the idea that it is a fuel delivery related issue. Check all of your lines to the tank, sometimes the rubber pieces collapse or the one highest from the tank deteriorates and sucks air like crazy.

Also look to replace your fuel pump just to rule it out. Check your oil for traces of gasoline, pull the dipstick and give it a sniff. The pump could be dumping fuel into the engine if the diaphragm is blown.

To rule out the tank, temporarily run it using a can of gasoline with a fuel hose in it. You should know right away if it runs better. With old tanks, the best bet is to have them boiled out and internally sealed or coated. Most radiator shops can do it for you. Use an inline gas filter as well.

Bob

When it doesn't want to start spray some starting fluid into the carb. If it fires right up you are certain its fuel related. Use a pressure gage you should have 3 to 7 psi from the pump. I would pull the top off the carb and make sure the fuel level is correct. The float may be sticking.