The Ford Barn

51shoeboxer · 05-29-2025, 07:05 PM

When I had a freshly rebuilt Holley 94 on my 1951 Ford, the idle was quite smooth. I made one 80 mile trip and the idle was very rough. I've tried adjusting the idle needles and the curb idle, but it still runs rough. I used the old trick of clamping my hand over the carburetor throat to suck out anything that might be in the idle passages; no better. I removed the idle needles and sprayed the idle ports with carburetor cleaner; no better. Off idle, the engine runs fine, but it still won't idle smoothly like it did before my trip.

I replaced the spark plugs, rotor and cap (I have Pertronix ignition, so no points); and still no difference. I did a compression test and all cylinders are 130 plus or minus 10 PSI. Anyone have ideas why my 8BA won't idle smoothly? Thanks

05-29-2025, 07:05 PM	#1
51shoeboxer Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: California Posts: 81	Rough idle on 1951 8BA When I had a freshly rebuilt Holley 94 on my 1951 Ford, the idle was quite smooth. I made one 80 mile trip and the idle was very rough. I've tried adjusting the idle needles and the curb idle, but it still runs rough. I used the old trick of clamping my hand over the carburetor throat to suck out anything that might be in the idle passages; no better. I removed the idle needles and sprayed the idle ports with carburetor cleaner; no better. Off idle, the engine runs fine, but it still won't idle smoothly like it did before my trip. I replaced the spark plugs, rotor and cap (I have Pertronix ignition, so no points); and still no difference. I did a compression test and all cylinders are 130 plus or minus 10 PSI. Anyone have ideas why my 8BA won't idle smoothly? Thanks