wedge plates for carbs

[codfather II]

I'm going to receive two new Crusader engines within a week. My old ones were defective and Crusader is sending me brand new replacements. The engines are 5.7L G.M Carbed engines. I told Crusader I had problems with starting the engines. They seemed to believe the engines were on a wrong angle and advised putting wedges under the carbs. Crusader is going to install the wedges at the factory. Can someone give me some advise and info on this issue? I haven't heard of this application before and would like to know if this would help my problem of flooding the engine and backfiring at startup.

 

[lowshovel1]

Re: wedge plates for carbs

I have seen them before, never used one myself but in theory they should work. It is just a beveled plate that is thicker at the rear of the carburetor. Should keep carburetor level.

 

[Laddies]

Re: wedge plates for carbs

Chris Craft and most other wooden boat manufacturers used wedges for years to level up the carbs to stop flooding, A carb is like a cup of water tilt it and the fluid leaks out

 

[codfather II]

Re: wedge plates for carbs

Thanks for the response. Is there any way to check the proper angle of an engine. This may sound stupid but, is there an absolute angle at which an engine can be properly run at??? I.E. how far of an angle is too far? Is there any way to check these specs?

 

[Buttanic]

Re: wedge plates for carbs

The normal angle on a inboard with a marine clutch that has the input shaft at the same angle as the output shaft is 12 to 13 degrees. Some marine clutches have the output shaft at a small angle which lets the engine sit more level. It depends on what type clutch you have. The engine in my Chris Craft is at a 12 degree angle and I have a 12 degree wedge under the carburator which keeps it level.

 

[codfather II]

Re: wedge plates for carbs

thanks Buttanic, I will check out both of my engine and wedge plate angles.