First off, let me say "Hello" to every one here! This is definitely an outstanding and VERY comprehensive resource for any Camaro enthusiast!
Just to give out some background on my situation-I just finished (last fall) the "ground up" resto on my 1968 Camaro. I only have about 200 miles on the car since then, but I had the engine (not original) in a '76 El Camino that was my daily driver for two years while I rebuilt the Camaro. Everything was going pretty good up until last Wednesday night. We took the car out to a local cruise night and drove it home with no problems. I had the car sitting out in the driveway and some kids in a '79 Camaro pulled up and were looking at it. They were all decent guys,and asked me if I could start it up for them. I said no problem and fired it up. We talked about cars for 10 minutes or so and then they left and I shut the car off. After I finished cleaning the garage, (20 min?) I went to fire the car up and it was running really rough. It seemed to me that it was running really rich, and when I put it into gear it died. I tried unsuccessfully to refire it, but it was flooded out so we ended up having to push it into the garage. I pulled the plugs and sure enough they were soaked in fuel. After swapping in a fresh set, I only got about thirty feet before it did the same thing. I pulled the plugs and now they're also soaked. That would make me suspect the carb (Edelbrock 1411), but I don't know if this is something that can be fixed or if I need a new carb. This engine is the same as it was in the Camino except for the oil pan and a new Edelbrock street fuel pump. Any ideas?

 

Just to throw in a suggestion, did you put a regulator on the line to slow that fuel down?

 

Probably just too much time idling the engine and it got loaded up with fuel? When you get it running, take it for a good blast and clean out the cylinders........they're probably carboned up a little. I don't understand carbureted cars 100%, but we're running an Edelbrock carb on my dad's '73, and it doesn't act any different than any other carbureted car I've driven before. Something else to try is once the engine seems flooded and it won't start (even though it's warm) hold the pedal to the floor while you crank it..........it'll let more air into the engine to lean out the mix, and it should start. That should save you from pulling plugs every time it floods.

 

Sounds like you have a piece of trash in an inlet needle allowing fuel level in float bowl to overflow. You can try tapping the area near the inlet needle (sorry, don't know carters/brocks so can't tell you where it is ) with the plastic handle of a large screwdriver to get it to pop trash out. If not, you have to pop the lid on the carb and clean it out.

Another reason I love Holleys - needles will pop right out the top, without carb disassembly, for cleaning.

 

I vote for the trash in the fuel. If you can get it started....take the air cleaner off and rev the engine to around 4-5k and cover all 4 barrels on top of the carb with the other hand in a quick motion. Don't let the car die, what your trying to do is get the air velocity going good into the carb and just very breifly cover all 4 barrels and this will cut off the air flow and cause a fuel vaccum surge. Sometimes it is enough to suck the trash right on through. You have to be fast when covering and uncovering the 4 barrels with your hand to keep the car from dying. Do this 4-5 good times.... be sure to let the rpm's build back up before you do the next one. The more rpms the better.

 

Yeah, I'm guessing that it's probably a varnish deposit or something that broke loose and is keeping the metering rod(s?) from seating all the way. I'll probably end up pulling the rods to check, because I can't let it idle for more that a few seconds before it bogs down and dies.
Thanks!
Hey pacesetter- I don't have a regulator in the line, no room. But according to Edelbrock, with the 1422 street pump and the 1411 carb, a regulator shouldn't be needed. I thought that a missing regulator might be the problem at first. I'm still not too sure. Good suggestion tho, Thanks!