OK, I've got a 1982 Dodge stepside truck, /6 manual 4 speed. When I got the truck the engine was a basket case as a previous owner had plans to yank the slant for a v-8. I prefer the slant for a daily driver. Anyway, got the slant rebuilt with a Compcams K64-247-4 and converted it from a 1-bbl setup to 2-bbl (non lean burn). I've got a few 2bbl carbs hanging around and slapped a Holley reman 64-3107 on there. I can get the engine to start just fine, but it won't idle out properly. It'll run fine for about 10-15 seconds, the die like it ran out of gas or the ignition was shut off. But then all I have to do it turn the key and it starts right back up. I can keep it running longer if I sit there and feather the throttle. But as soon as I quit the engine dies. Also when I do, I get some backfiring out of the exhaust.
I know I have some other wiring issues (charging system for one, no gauges work, wiring back to taillights/gas sending unit/back-pu switch all need repair).
Any ideas as to where to go from here? Do I need to go through the ignition wiring again even though it'll run just fine?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm just happy to have finally found some time to get back on my little project. I really want to get this thing going.
Thanks,
John

Before you go through too much trouble, get out your gauges and see if everything checks out ok.

Warm up the motor by staying on the gas. After the engine is up to normal operating temp, see if the problem is the same. If it's still dying with the engine all the way warmed up, we can cancel out the choke as the problem.

Check for possible vacuum leaks. Especially at the throttle shaft. Also check your dwell and make sure your points are gapped correctly.

You should be reading at least 17 hg on the vacuum guage (20 is ideal) and 41-46* as far as dwell goes.

What are your mixture screws turned out to?

Well, it's electronic ignition, so no points. I went with the Holley reman in hopes of avoiding throttle shaft leaks.
When it does idle for a few moments, it will run smooth for around 700rpm. But then it'll die. Actually, unless I continually feather the throttle, it'll die no matter what the rpms. Even if I hold it at around 1500-2000 rpm. I can't get it to run long enough to take a look at any gauges. And like I said, it'll usually re-fire right away at a touch of the key.

Oh yeah, I'll have to play with it some more tomorrow to see if I can get it up to operating temp. No exhaust right now and I know my neighbors won't appreciate the noise at night. Although I think I had it running long enough today to get it up to temp.

One doesn't follow from the other. Like all the other "remanufacturing" houses, Holley II doesn't rebush the throttle shafts.

Sounds like you've got some vacuum leaks or a fuel delivery problem.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Oops I forgot about the year of your truck when I mentioned the points. I'm definitely leaning towards vacuum leak. Check those throttle shafts because I found out first hand that Holley II remanufactured carbs are garbage. I got the throttle shafts rebushed on both sides of the carb and it still never ran right. Spend $180 on the carb and rebushing and it was all for nothing. Got fed up and ended up buying a NOS carb on ebay that works fine.

Also, since im assuming the truck has yet to run with the 2bbl setup, I think you should check the intake manifold runners at the head for leaks. If you used the cheap gaskets from the parts stores you could possibly have air leaking in at that spot. If you don't want to have the thing running because of the neighbors, just spray down the manifold ports and sides of the carb with soapy water and shoot some air up the hose that connects to the pcv valve. It will most likely end up bubbling at the intake ports, throttle shaft or both.

If you don't find any leaks and the fuel is coming out in two nice streams when you hit the gas, then check and make sure the throttle plates on the bottom of the carb don't have holes drilled in them. I believe the carter bbd's for the 318 engines had holes in the throttle plates. You'll need to close those holes up in some way or another. Search around on this site if thats one of the problems. It's explained it a few other threads.

Well, I figured out where I went wrong - at least for the moment. The truck and engine were a basket case when I started and apparently I hooked up some vacuum lines incorrectly. Got those straightened out and now it'll keep running.
Once the weekend gets here, I'll be able to do some more tinkering and maybe get some of the remaining electrical issues straightened out.
Thanks for the tips!
John