Chevy Nova Idle Dies in Gear

1925 CHEVROLET
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BLACKJACK61304
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  • 1 POST
I have A chevy 250 engine out of a mid 70's Nova. It is equiped with a Rochester 1bbl carb. The Engine wants to die when it is shifted into gear. It is an automatic. I believe that it may be a carb problem, but I dont know what the timing should be set at. any recomendations or comments would be greatly apreciated

thanks
Oct 31, 2006 at 4:11 PM
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HMAC300
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
with the engine off take the air cleaner off and see if the carburetor will shake or seem loose. these had a habit of two screws that hold the float bowl to the base loosen up and cause vacuum leaks /idle problems. You will have to remove the carb to tighten the screws. if you do put loctite on the screws (242 or "BLUE) . the timing should be 4 degrees or so BTDC.
Dec 15, 2009 at 9:56 AM
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Suggested Repair

With the engine off and the air cleaner removed, check whether the Rochester one-barrel carburetor shakes or feels loose. Loose float-bowl-to-base screws can cause vacuum leaks and idle problems. Remove the carburetor, tighten those screws with blue Loctite 242, and set timing to about 4 degrees BTDC.

Conversation Summary

The owner has a Chevy 250 inline-six from a mid-1970s Nova with a Rochester one-barrel carburetor and an automatic transmission. The engine wants to die when shifted into gear, and the owner suspects the carburetor and asks about timing. The expert recommends checking for a loose carburetor caused by loose float-bowl screws, removing the carburetor to tighten them with blue Loctite, and setting timing around 4 degrees BTDC.

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