New sbc 400 blueprint engine keeps fouling plugs with gas

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
I have a new blueprint engines 400 Chevy in my k10 and so far it’s fouled 3 sets of plugs. It had started missing after I drove it for a while so I checked the plugs and they were all black and sooty and smelled heavily like gas. The first thing I did was installed a fuel pressure regulator between my mechanical fuel pump and Holley 850 carb and set it around 6 psi. This is my first time doing a build and didn’t think to put in a regulator to begin with. So new plugs and regulator, it ran good for while then started missing. Then I replaced those plugs and and hooked up a pcv valve. After one 10 minute drive the plugs were black again. I’m at a loss and getting kinda frustrated. Also the timing is set at 34 total and 14-16 initial. Hopefully someone on here had the same problem and knows how to fix it haha. Any advice would be very appreciated.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,186
Reaction score
5,085
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
I have a new blueprint engines 400 Chevy in my k10 and so far it’s fouled 3 sets of plugs. It had started missing after I drove it for a while so I checked the plugs and they were all black and sooty and smelled heavily like gas. The first thing I did was installed a fuel pressure regulator between my mechanical fuel pump and Holley 850 carb and set it around 6 psi. This is my first time doing a build and didn’t think to put in a regulator to begin with. So new plugs and regulator, it ran good for while then started missing. Then I replaced those plugs and and hooked up a pcv valve. After one 10 minute drive the plugs were black again. I’m at a loss and getting kinda frustrated. Also the timing is set at 34 total and 14-16 initial. Hopefully someone on here had the same problem and knows how to fix it haha. Any advice would be very appreciated.
Have you adjusted the carb at all? Mixture screws? Checked float level? Changed jets? What is your vacuum reading at idle?
 

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
Yeah I’ve done lots of tuning on the carb, haven’t messed with jets tho. It actually is running pretty lean with both floats below middle.
 

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
would running the stock fuel lines have anything to do with it? The return line is pretty small 1/4 hardline.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,186
Reaction score
5,085
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
Its not the fuel lines. I would almost guarantee you just need to get the jets right. I don't see how you could have done lots of tuning without changing any jets... the engine is obviously pig rich to foul the plugs like that. What is your idle vacuum? Did this carb come with the motor?
 

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
The carb came with the motor, i will go double check the idle vacuum.
 

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
Sorry I meant leaner than the original setup.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,186
Reaction score
5,085
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,186
Reaction score
5,085
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
That's a whole lot of cam and compression for a truck. I'd bet it's going to be really hard to dial in the part throttle fuel mix. Its probably running pig rich because the factory carb tune is trying to keep it out of detonation and provide enough fuel at WOT. It's going to be really hard to dial that beast in without an AFR gauge and a dyno.
 

HEG77k10

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Posts
45
Reaction score
34
Location
Adna, Washington
First Name
Hayden
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Chevy k10
Engine Size
400 stroker
Anyone you can recommend that’s good at tuning carbs in the Washington/Oregon area?
 

richard A lindner

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2018
Posts
96
Reaction score
58
Location
Florida
First Name
Richard lindner
Truck Year
82
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
250
Sorry my 650hp circle track motor on the dyno only took a 750. But it also cost2500 and the builder fine tuned it at the track
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,102
Posts
909,083
Members
33,586
Latest member
ssgmike
Top