6 bbl center carb fuel level too high?

[734406pk]

I couldn't get my car started after setting the bowl height with the coil wire pulled and turning over the motor to fill the carbs.  I suspected that I flooded the engine.  I went out this after noon and tried again.  No firing at all.  So I pulled all the plugs, blew air into them to dry them, blew air into the cylinders, and tried again.  Nothing!  I couldn't imagine that I killed all the plugs.  So I did some checking with a friend.  No power out of the coil.  I disconnected my rev n nator ignition, attached the orange box, and it fired up instantly.  This is what really gets me.  I work on the fuel system, and try to cure a problem.  Then the electrical ignition system craps out.  I can't get a break.  I did a quick timing check and checked my float heights and all is well.  Now I have to see what the deal is with my ignition.  I will drive it tomorrow to see if it overfill the carbs.  After I warmed it up, I checked the sight plugs and it is at the correct height: spilling over when the car is rocked side to side. Hopefully that is fixed. It is never easy.

An ignition problem disguised as a fuel problem? I agree, it's never easy. If you are forced to run ethanol blend fuel, I would change all 3 needles and seat assemblies at this time and regularly use a fuel stabilizer like Stabil Marine formula in the future. I find it's cheap insurance.

[jordan]

When I get an hour to drive the car, I can see if the carbs are working any better.  It started, idled, and warmed up easily last night, and the carb float levels looked good.  I can see if it will run and pull hard with my orange box in, and fill up my tank.  Maybe my gas milage will go up?!!
R/T Garage wants my ignition back for testing. Laura seems totally cool and wiling to work with me on making this right. 

Since its almost time to put the car up for winter, I will run these needle/seats until storage time, or if they fail earlier.  I will change them out over winter.  I always use Sta-bil in all of my fuel systems with no issues since ever.  What will running it routinely do since my car tends to chug gas at 7.5mpg?

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Tagged for interest.

[734406pk]

What will running it routinely do since my car tends to chug gas at 7.5mpg?

Most likely foul plugs eventually I would guess.

[jordan]

My plugs were surprisingly not too bad.  One plug looked a little rich.  The rest I would call as good.  I meant what would running fuel stabilizer routinely do for me?

[734406pk]

My plugs were surprisingly not too bad.  One plug looked a little rich.  The rest I would call as good.  I meant what would running fuel stabilizer routinely do for me?

Sorry I misread. Here is a link for some info on Sta-bil and Ethanol: http://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/infographic-411-ethanol-fuel-and-ethanol-treatment.
In short, water/moisture will bind with Ethanol and form acids that attack soft metals like aluminum, zinc, brass etc. if unprotected. Sta-Bil has corrosion inhibitors that protect the metal from the acids, and prevents varnish formation while in storage. I have been using the Marine formula for years on everything. It contains 4x the corrosion inhibitors than the automotive formula. I have had very good results.

[Chryco Psycho]

7.5 mpg is very low , it has be able to be tuned better than that unless you have you foot in it all the time which is what I would be doing !!

[jordan]

best Ive done is 10mpg on the hi way with my overdrive trans and tall gear.  changing jet size will conserve fuel, but will it conserve performance too?

can I expect better with a 520 cu in motor?  And I put my foot in it regularly. I don't drive a cruiser.  I drive a performance car!!    I hi way drive at 70 mph.  Keep up with traffic.  Im not conservative with the loud pedal usually.  100+ mph passes are not a problem.   Doesn't mean the carb can't be tuned better. 

[HP_Cuda]

Are you plumbed for O2 sensors? Might be a step in the right direction for tuning.

Then heck I'd take it to a dyno.

[Chryco Psycho]

optimum tuning should make the most power , more fuel is wasting fuel & HP , I have done 18 MPG @ 70 mph on the highway with a 512" @ approx 2400 rpm but that is canadian gallon but you should still  be good for about 15 mpg on the US gal