216 trouble

[EL LONER]

just bought a 51 chevy styleline has a 216 inline six problem is i can only keep the car running if choke is on if no choke car immediately dies have no idea what it could be i have no knowledge of car engines any help would be appreciated

 

[Bonehead]

Possible air leak, like a bad gasket, You have to have air to run, and to choke it limits the air the engine is getting. Start there, and then we will move on to the next possible answer.

 

[EL LONER]

how do i go about checking for leaks possible areas?

 

[Bonehead]

Probably just looking at the gaskets, or maybe a vent or vaccume line off the carb. The only other thing is not enough gas, so to get a air gas mix that runs, you have to cut down the air to match. The timing could be off a little too.

 

[dmw56]

I've read that you can spray starting fluid in the gasket areas and if the engine picks up revs there's probably a leak in that area. But I'd really carefull that's pretty flammable stuff.