ok, just got done searching the site, but can't find anything quite like the problem I am having. I'm trying to remember all my carb troubleshooting info, but I've been out of the loop for nearly 15 years (last time I owned a carbed car).
I have a 79 Diablo with a 350. Carb is an Edelbrock Q-jet that I bought used a few weeks ago. Got it all hooked up and when I tried to start, nothing happened for about 2-3 minutes when it finally caught and started idling. The SECOND I give it any gas at all, including barely tapping the pedal, it dies. It will only run when I don't touch the gas, but it idles very smooth when it is going.
I didn't notice any extreme gas odor, but I did see a tiny bit of fuel leaking past the accelerator pump shaft. It also has a damaged electric choke that is in the full open position, but I'm not sure if that would afect things very much...my old q-jet always started cold with an open choke, but who knows?
I have a spare q-jet, but I'd like to use this one since it is already on the car, so any thoughts? Thanks in advance...

dont know a whole lot but could it be something to do with the jets not functioning properly in the primary main? or possibly some sort of vaccuum problem. just tossing out ideas.

Maybe the little vacuum operated plunger that raises the metering rods is stuck, or, maybe the spring that's supposed to be under it is missing (?) Sounds kinda like the high speed circuit isn't getting fuel. Even if the pump is worn a bit, it should still rev up if throttled up easy.
Does it have a filter on the fuel inlet ? If so, check it. Maybe the float level is low from poor fuel flow.

Just some stuff to look at...........:smileyb:

It could be the accelerator pump and or circuit- shut iengine off and peer down the barrels and pump the accelerator several times and look to see if gas is indeed squirting into engine- if not there's one of your culprits. As far as the choke ,try holding it partially closed as you hit the accelerator, if the engine speeds up as it should ,you've found the other problem- Hope this helps- good luck :nanawrench:

It could be the accelerator pump and or circuit- shut iengine off and peer down the barrels and pump the accelerator several times and look to see if gas is indeed squirting into engine- if not there's one of your culprits. As far as the choke ,try holding it partially closed as you hit the accelerator, if the engine speeds up as it should ,you've found the other problem- Hope this helps- good luck :nanawrench:
I Agreed,check the accelerator pump and the "little ball bering" might be stuck,but it sounds like the acc.pump. They do wear out..:beer:

:cali:

ok, I just solved the problem...checked on craigslist and scored a super low mileage JET Performance quadrajet from a guy up the street from me for $150. This thing is so new that it still smells like a new carb (right out of the box). I pulled the edelbrock off the car today and I'll just rebuild the entire thing so I won't miss anything. In any case, thanks for all the good info..