1970 318 stocker tune up trouble shooting

[Alaskan_TA]

Hey guys,

I have not tuned a 318 for close to two decades now. A pal of mine is having this problem with my car;

"It's a bear to get started, even after forcing the butterfly closed, but once it's warmed up it purrs like a kitten in Park.
 But once in gear, the idle is really rough."

Details on the car;

1970 Coronet

318 with original carb.

Hose from heat riser is missing.

The car is in Colorado, but it came from Kansas, so possible alitude thing relating to fuel mixture?

The choke sounds like it needs to be adjusted per his description, what else should I consider / be prepared to check when I finally get to see it in person?

I may switch it to electonic ignition at some point, but for now no performance modifications are planned

Thanks!

Barry

[LAA66]

 Maybe Low compression.

[CrazyPete]

id say its a given the carb needs work id just rebuild it and your problems would be gone 

[ntstlgl1970]

as you mentioned, being in Colorado may make things a little tougher to tune. Denver at 7k feet? Stock carb is a two barrel? is it the B+B 2 barrel? I always thought those were easy to tune since you can adjust the metering rod rise and accel pump easy once the top access plate is off. Probably the exhaust crossover is plugged with carbon which doesn't help the cold warm up at all. I agree with Crazy Pete, plan on rebuilding the carb and replacing some vacuum lines.

[Chryco Psycho]

Hard to start is a choke issue either to rich & the pull off is opening the choke or too lean as the choke is not coming on properly
 rough idle could be vacuum or fuel leaks , tighen the screws on the carb make sure vacuum hoses are sealing , could have bad plug wires or plugs as well
 more ign advance will help both strating & idle in gear

[Alaskan_TA]

Thanks guys!

I picked up new plugs today and I ordered a rebuilt carb and plug wires for it. 

[Chryco Psycho]

tighten all the bolts & screws on the intake & carb as well

[Alaskan_TA]

Will do, thanks Neil!