Leaning out and poor idling when warm

[powerwaggin]

Hi folks. I have had a nagging problem with my generally very reliable 318 powered 1973 W200 Sno-Fighter factory plow truck. Once warmed up, it doesn't like to run much below 1300 rpm or so and will not idle without constant pedal twitching. All this with three different Carters BBD's and now with my otherwise well behaved Holley 2BBL on stock manifold. The other night after plowing for a spell, when it was just starting its leaning out issues I sprayed ether at the rear of the intake manifold and got a smoothing out and rpm increase. Cracked intake manifold maybe? Some other intermittent vacuum leak?

 

[slant6/4speed]

Probably just gaskets but try tighten the intake to head bolts first

 

[1wild&crazyguy]

idle speed should lower when a vac leak is plugged, in my experience at least.

 

[slant6/4speed]

He spayed ether (starting fluid) in to the leak so RPM's will go up as he feeds fuel to it.

 

[powerwaggin]

So anyway...the 'ole 318 workhorse has been ridden hard and put away wet this snowy week! I got right bank intake manifold bolts to tighten a tad and she's much happier. Bought gaskets to do it up right but then I was going to yank the motor in the spring for long over due attention. Thanks for your various comments. More snow coming Saturday!