Hey guys I just got a 72 dart 4 door slant 6, but
Will not idle it dies right away and back fires out the carb at times. I'm thinking
Timing but what is it supposed to be set at .does it brake the power valve if it back fires?...it's also not charging? ...
It came with a new alternator .
Btw it's a 72 short block and early sale
Head .I think because it's got spark plug tubes .Please help I liked the car and it seemed like a quick fix but starting to wonder .
If there is any other info you guys may need let me know .All the info helps thanks in advance.

Give it a tune up. Sounds like your valve lash needs attention.

Check to see how your timing set is doing. If it hasn't been changed out, it's due.

For base timing, give it 10° initial. Vac advance disconnected and plugged. That's a good place to start.

Get yourself an FSM. It'll help immensely. The peanut head didn't come out for several years. It should be a drool tube in '72.

CJ

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Vote # 2 on checking / re-setting the valve last adjustment.
Select a setting that is a little loose to start with... like .012 Intake and .022 Exhaust.
DD

Thanks for the reply s I'm in the garage now . Trying to figure out the problem . What's the best way to set valves I would do running but it doesn't lol. ..how do you know if the power valve is broken ?

If the engine isn't runing, the best way to get the valves to a point where you can eliminate them as as reason the engine won't start is to set the valve lash with the engine cold and the valve lash set too loose.

First, remove the valve cover.

Second, rotate the engine by hand until the #1 intake valve opens and closes.

Third, keep rotating the engine until the timing mark lines up with 0 on the timing tab.

Fourth, set the #1 intake to .014 and the #1 exhaust to .024.

Fifth, the slant six firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. So, continue turning the crank while watching the #5 intake valve. The #5 intake may already be patially open when the #1 cylinder is at TDC. Once it opens and closes, set the #5 valve lash. Then do the same for #3, then #6, etc… Be aware that the order of the valves changes between cylinder 3 and 4. The order from front to back is E-I-E-I-E-I-I-E-I-E-I-E.

One you get the engine running, here is how you adjust the valves PROPERLY: CLICK ME

Are you referring to the carburetor power valve?

_________________
Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Ya I have a 4 bbl holley and it back fired out the carb .I heard it will break the carbs pv..ok I will try that on the valves too tanks

How old is the Holley...if it's a used on from the 90's your PV is blown unless you made the mod to install a backfire protection valve...if it was bought recently new through jegs or summit, it's fine...

If you blew it, your gas mileage will be worse than a big blocks and the exhaust will be fuel rich and sooty.

-D.Idiot

It's a old one I think ...i got it with the car .would it still idle with a blown out pv. I just want it to idle before I start throwing money in to this

Well guys I set the valves .sounded a ton better .I bought a remand distributor kit yay no more points.i hope that will fix it .I still need brake lines tho before it will drive .any one out there know any were to get brake lines ?

You can bend your own brake lines. Get a good tube bending fixture, and buy the pre flared lines at the local parts store. You may have to put a small S curve or loop in one to get it shorter. You will work it out. Also get a set of fittings wrenches for flare fittings. These will help in getting old ones off, and new ones tight enough.

Sam

_________________

Once you get to the point where the engine will idle, check out holleytv.com. A user on this site named wjajr pointed me there, and it's been very helpful in getting my 2300 tuned right. This video in particular will help you diagnose a busted power valve and make sure you order the right size replacement. Keep in mind that the backfiring might be a symptom of a different issue with the way the carb is tuned.

How do your plugs look?

_________________
Somehow I ended up owning three 1964 slant six A-bodies. I race one of them.
Escape Velocity Racing

Thanks everyone.i may have this thing figured out
I found that there is a gas/vac leak on the manifold
We're the main part of the manifold bolt to the 4 bbl plate ...I'm about to look online for a gasket

Well everyone my car had a vacuum leak under the plate on my aussie 4 bbl intake.i made a gasket because no one had one that fit .I taped the intake and hooked a vacuum line to the intake and blew in to it after squirting soapy water around the base....I also had to grind down the bolt head that goes from the intake to the exhaust because it was to tall and not letting the carb plate seat flush ...so ya she runs like a top ..thanks Reed that valve tip is save on my phone .and the holley tv is great thanks for the leak. .now its on to break lines and clean up wiring ...ugh I just want to drive in no exhaust on it right now just dumps under the drivers seat