my buddy just bought the jeep with the 305 in it and it has a edlebrock 600 carb on it. i dont know anything about carbs so i was hoping someone one here would be able to give me a few things to look at. when sitting at idle the motor runs like a champ but when in gear and traveling down the road at no cetain rpm or mph the carb loads up and the motor dies. turn the key and it doesnt start but wait a second or two and turn the key again and it fires up like it has no problem at all. whatever help anyone can give is greatly appreciated. thank you.

Is it more likely to do it if you stomp on the gas or is it completely random? Is idle normal or a bit high?

Well Calif... My first guess would be it AIN'T the carb! Why would you think it is? My first question is what does "loads up" mean?
Have you installed a NEW fuel filter?
When was a tuneup done?
Big JIm
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My first question is HOW? Last time I checked California had one of the most strict set of emissions laws out there, and the vehicle has to pass laws for vehicle, not the engine, so even though its a 1978 engine, it needs to pass 1990 emissions standards, which will include a sniffer test, an under the hood inspection, and under the vehicle inspection, given this is too early for an OBD2 check. I canÆt imagine anyone putting a v-8 in a jeep is going to go through all the effort to put all of the early 90Æs emissions parts onto a v-8 that was built in 1978. Has your buddy registered this vehicle yet?

That part left alone, it sounds to me like you really need to find someone that know carbs better and take that person for a ride, there are many variables that could play into this ôloading up issueö both within the carb and outside the carb, and it is very difficult to pin point where the issue actually is based on oneÆs description of the situation. Typically you hear about an engine loading up at idle though, because the idle circuit is too rich. The first things I would look at (assuming the typically tune up items have been checked and are ok) are your timing, your vacuum advance function properly, your mechanical advance functioning properly (in your distributor), then looking at your carb, your idle speed setting, your idle mixture settings, and your main jet adjustments. A 600 CFM carb does sound a bit big for a stock 305, but not too overkill, and should be able to be tuned properly to run a 305, but you canÆt just pull the carb out the box and slap it on and expect it to work perfect, which is what it sounds like might have happened.

I would start by looking for someone around local that knows carbs to check it out.

Sean

we had changed out the fuel filter and it still died. at first it would die at idle after running for a few minutes then we added a second fuel pump and now it does not die at idle but randomly while accelerating. i appreciate the tips sean and i will look at them to see if i can find anything. thank you.