1954 blue flame

[Don H.]

Hi fellow vettsters!

I have been the proud owner of a very sweet little 1954 for a number of years, in all that time i have never had the privilege to drive her more than a few miles at a time. Now i have to state that my biggest issue is that i am not mechanically inclined - at all! but what i have done is have the motor completely rebuilt, i have had the carburettors completely rebuilt with the correct kits by a very well respected carby man yet my plugs still continue to foul within minutes - i once again put in a new set last weekend - she will then drive sweetly for an hour or so but by the time i return, the plugs are fouled with carbon....
Nobody here in Australia seems to have a single clue as to what the problem is, surely i can't be alone? HELP!!

thanks in advance

Don

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Should be a lot of threads on this problem. VERY commonv.
Several thoughts.... at random..

Incorrect non spring loaded needle valves.

Needle valves not seating (debris in seat) (float rubbing inside of carb body)

Metering rod set too high.

Vacuum leak at intake manifold attachment to the head.

Incorrect carburetor "lid" gasket blocking air bleed holes.Incorrect float settings.

I owned a 54 for about 25 years, and became VERY adept at fixing carburetor "issues". ChuckPS: Do you have the correct Corvette carburetors? Should be 2066SA. Many other vehicles including Corvair and Nash, as well as boats and tractors used the YH carburetor.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Whoa.......... that all ran together. I had posted those issues in line form, yet when I posted, it came out as one rambling statement. Couldn't edit it either.Chuck

[Dick W.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Whoa.......... that all ran together. I had posted those issues in line form, yet when I posted, it came out as one rambling statement. Couldn't edit it either.Chuck

Fixed it fer ya Doc

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Thanks, Dick.I usually hit the "Reply To Thread" button. This time, I hit the "Quick Reply" button. Hope your knee is continuing to heal up nicely. Chuck

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Vacume leak? - very very possible.
Correct heat range plugs ?
worn needles
worn seat
Timing correct?
Ing system is good to great condition?

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Thanks for the response guy's, vacume seems fine but is on the to check list - after reading through the forum i am going to upgrade the plugs to ACR45S as the NGK plugs i'm using may be running too cold. I have had to order these from the U.S. as no one in Australia stocks them. I will give them a try and work backwards from there. Keep the suggestions coming though, i can never have enough advice!

thanks

Don

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Plugs is where I would start. The owner's manual lists different plugs for different driving conditions. You need a hot plug for the little low speed trips you likely take.

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Ok, upon further investigation i now have another question (please understand i have almost zero mechanical ability) i have noticed that my distributor can be turned by hand approximately an inch or so, is this normal?

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Suspect you need to tighten the screw that clamps the vacuum control to the distributor. But first you'll have to reset the timing, which I gather you probably can't do. If not, get some help.

Since the car apparently runs with the loose distributor you have another option. Have someone start the car while you hold onto the distributor. When its running turn the distributor ever so slowly until you find the location where it seems to run the best. Then tighten the distributor in that location. Then you can drive it to someone who can set the timing better.

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Thank you so much for answering my post Troy, another stupid question, where would i find the screw / clamp, i have a feeling this part is something that may have fallen off some time ago - do you know of anyone that has a picture of the set up? that way I can check for sure. Sorry to sound like such dumbass!

cheers

Don

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

The clamp is attached to the vacuum advance control and is around the distributor shaft. So look at the place where the distributor enters the engine block. The clamp is a cad plated ring that goes around the shaft and has a screw to tighten to squeeze it to the shaft.

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Thanks Troy,

I'll have a look for it this week.

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Don,

I've attached a photo that shows the firewall side of the distributor where the clamp bolts to the engine block. I hope this helps.

Eric

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Seems like his issue is probably on the other end of the clamp where is goes around the distributor shaft. But if the bolt is missing on this end it could cause movement as well. Time will tell