Originally posted by rodneybarrett
Actually, it's not.
If you're familiar with the needle settings of a nova carb then here they are.
HSN - just a tad richer than 4.5 out (factory settings are 4.5).
LSN - 2.75 out (factory settings are either 2.5 or 3.5, I hear one thing from one person and something else from another. The engine won't even start and idle at 3.5 turns out)
The idle is approx .5mm open. it is a nice low, smooth idle.
And again, once I get past that initial launch, this doesn't seem to happen anymore (from my recollection).
And if it were a lean condition on top end, wouldn't I see some signs. For instance, when I take off, blue smoke all the way up til it dies. I wouldn't think I would have that much smoke if it were rich. Always, it seems there would be some hesitation as well. Just my thoughts.
I am starting to lean more toward an issue with the tank and pressure line system b/c it seems to always happen right after the tank has been filled.
any other suggestions or attempt at diagnosing the issue?
You cant rely on those numbers to set the needles, several of my engines have run well far away from those settings you mentioned.
The too rich low end disguises the lean top end. At idle the motor loads up and provides excess fuel which is why you are seeing blue smoke. I have had the exact issue I am describing and it never looked lean.
Do the pinch test I provided above first. If this is OK, then richen up the top end so when you pull WOT it does not pull maximum RPM then start leaning it again while checking performance on the track. Run it for a while and check the temps. If this is all OK then you likely have some form of mechanical issue.
If your fuel system has a problem it generally makes the car run lean and your temps should keep getting higher.