Help Before my Wife Kills Me

[dpcd67]

I have a 340 Cuda, built up with 9.5 to 1 compression, Comp 268H cam installed straight, ED 2406, dual exhaust, fuel regulator at 5 psi. Factory distributor.  Runs great on 93 no alcohol gas.
Here is the issue; the exhaust blows black smoke at idle and smells terrible. My wife yelled yesterday, Sell that piece of junk!. So I can't start it when she is home.
I have changed carbs, Ed 2406s with the same results. I have adjusted the idle mixture screws to minimum.  Vacuum is good; I forgot but I recall it was 15 or so.  I have changed the timing all over the place but still no change in the smoke.
Any ideas? Is this setup just prone to smoke and smell bad? Is the Edelbrock the problem?
Appreciate any suggestions.  thanks.

[Katfish]

Watching, my car has "stinky" exhaust too.
Not sure there's anything we can do.

[Chryco Psycho]

 Yes the carb is the problem these carbs do not work well overall
The cam is alsopart of the problem , long duration cams always smell rich @ idle as the misfiring cylinders push raw fuel out the exhaust  but you should not be getting black smoke though , float level is often a problem as it cannot be set running , I have seen problems with miscast  or missing walls inside the carb , the heavy springs under the metering rods will all help .
 Personally I would use any other carb over a 1406 eddy , in my experience thay are the worse carbs out there , anything will work better & will be more tunable , my perference would be a Proform  carb 650 minimum 700 would be ideal

[Strawdawg]

echoing Chryco, google will show you that you are not alone with this problem

This guy has a pretty good write up on how to tune them and covers bigger cams, etc

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gilesij/Volvord/edelbrock_1.htm

[dpcd67]

Ok, assuming that two Edelbrocks in a row aren't bad, I guess I will look for another carb; the one you guys suggest.  I fell for the advertising that said just bolt it on and drive it. 
I have read all the Edelbrock tuning instructions and it makes my head hurt.
I knew it would not be totally clean as I do remember the real muscle cars from the '60s, but I expected a bit cleaner.  But it does run well and will burn rubber on radial tires for 50 feet.
thanks for the help.
Any other suggestions?

[dpcd67]

I don't see a Proform 700; do you have a source or part number?  I found several 650s; which model to you recommend?
What about the Street Series, Vacuum or Mechanical secondary? Is that a good one?
I think I might get a spring and jet kit for the Edel first and try that; only 40 bucks. If that doesn't work, I will get a new carb.

[1 Wild R/T]

IMO a 268H isn't enough cam to have raw fuel out the exhaust... It's carb/tuning related...

[dpcd67]

I think that is what they are saying above; that the Ed carb is not a good one; do you recommend the Proform as well?

[tommyg29]

My wife has a whole routine before getting in my car. She doesnt like the smell either, but at least it doesnt smoke anymore.
She puts her hair up, and brings perfume to spray, and then changes clothes when we get home. 

[1 Wild R/T]

I have no experience with Proform carbs.. From what I've read here people seem to like them... I do have experience with a number of Edelbrock/Carter carbs.. The old Carters were excellent, hard to believe Edelbrock could screw them up so much but they did... I've had good luck with Carter AVS's, Carter AFB's & Carter Theroquads.... I've heard the Edelbrock AVS's are allot better than the Edelbrock AFB's which is what the 1406,1407's are

[RCCDrew]

I really want to try that street demon that looks like a thermoquad. I think the small primaries would help low rpm operation.

[Chryco Psycho]

Proform doesn't make a 700 so I would use the 650 ,
It comes down to 3 things , do you need a choke ? Most do not as these cars are rarely driven in the cold
 2 the vacuum secondary is maybe more drivable as you can floor it off idle & not stumble , but if you are willing to learn to drive them & 1/2 throttle them off idle & roll in  or wait until you are around 2000 rpm or above & then floor them the mechanical secondaries  hit a lot harder so I perfer the mechanical carbs , your call .
 I have spent hours trying to tune the Eddys  with limited results , the Proform is more of a bolt on a go carb they are set up very well out of the box & if they need to be adjusted every circuit is tunable unlike Eddys ......... as Wild said it is hard to believe Eddy screwed a simple design up so badly but they did !

[Chryco Psycho]

Also disconnect your vacuum advance & bring the timing AT IDLE UP TO 14-16* & leave the vacuum advance disconnected , this can clean up the idle a lot

[dpcd67]

Ok, I do value your advice.
My wife won't go near my cars and trucks; they either smell like canvas or gas or both.
I guess I don't need a choke on the cuda as I never drive it when it is cold.  I want it to run smoothly from idle so I see I need the vacuum advance.
I will get the Proform 650; they are about $420 from various parts places.
thanks.

[jimynick]

Holley sells a manual choke setup- I got one on my Challenger when I got it- buy one and once the engine starts you can adjust the choke manually to reduce the smoking on start up. The car is running rich when it doesn't need to. I know a lot of people hate on the Carters, but I had them on 4 or 5 engines and never had a problem- so who knows? Does the car have an electric choke currently? Chrysler built millions of cars with these carbs, so they can't all be POS's.
PS- start the car outside and don't call the bride until it cleans up.