Sounds like fuel filter or somthing with the needle/seat/ float.

 

+1 on the fuel filter. Cheap and easy to replace and an easy thing to eliminate.

 

fuel filter is brand new glass one from Oreillys.... Needle seat were replaced, float was adjusted

 

Overflowing is classic- Stuck float. Blame the needle/seat assembly. Oh, and I hate those glass filters. Just me, but I keep thinking they'll leak, or the attaching hoses will, and set the engine on fire. The all-steel factory filters work just fine.

 

I don't like the glass ones either and they won't pass tech at the local drag strip.

The glass filters are great when you're getting a car back on the road after sitting awhile. It's nice to be able to see what is going on, as in this case.
The OP mentioned it started "better" when the choke was closed. I'd double check for vac leaks, or maybe fuel boiling. (check where the fuel line is routed) sometimes those glass filters DO leak and allow air to be drawn into the line, that might be an issue as well.
Aside from that, inconsistent starting could easily be an electrical issue. Check all the connections from battery to coil, don't forget the grounds.

 

I don't like the glass ones either and they won't pass tech at the local drag strip.

 

The OP wrote, "the secondaries were spewing fuel at idle". Thus, the problem goes beyond fuel filters or vacuum leaks.

I don't know much about Holley carbs other than my brother used to run them and always had problems. I ran Autolite or Edelbrock carbs and never had problems.

A lot of guys here on the forum run a Holley. I'm sure they'll have some useful suggestions as to what's causing fuel to dump into the secondaries at idle. I'm thinking 22GT is right about a stuck float of leaking needle and seat, but gain, I don't know for sure.

 

That car is an X-code-390 2bbl carb Not too many built. Nice color!

 

You can rebuild the needle seat assembly and try running the car, or pull the bowl next time it cuts off. If you have a dry bowl then you have identified the problem and know for sure that a needle seat assembly will fix it. I don't think your choke is causing this. I also strongly suggest you replace the glass filter.

 

I thought of it being an X code too.
OP: What's the 5th character of the VIN?

 

Auto parts stores often sell rebuilt carbs with no regard to size or application, and of course someone could have put it in there in a lame attempt to improve performance.

 

It's seems to be a 289 car---it had a 2-V carb for a 390 on it.

 

What are you running for a fuel pump? If you went electric, you might need a fuel pressure regulator. Too much pressure can act like a stuck needle too.

 

The PO stated that the carb was puking gas prior to his carb rebuild. Nothing was said about puking gas after the rebuild. Now it sounds like a starvation problem so fuel pump, fuel filter or boiling gas out of the bowls when sitting after running.

 

I had similar symptoms...needle and seat were sticking and had the crap-tastic glass fuel filter. It let all kinds of sand/silt thru. Changed to the plastic Fram G3 filter and so far so good.

Has anyone tried replacing the O ring on the needle and seat set up on a Holley instead of just buying the whole assembly?

 

okay guess to much info, it was having problems flooding, then i rebuilt it. no problems now, except that if i drive around for the day, it will randomly stop starting, and wont start for a hour or more, i have a stock fuel pump, there is no filter on the pump, the car is a 289, not an x code. i did buy a spacer in case it was a fuel boil issue...

 

played with it more today, turned on the fan(blower motor), and all the sudden i had the hesitation issues..

Alternator is putting out 14.2v, and i dont have anything crazy just some speakers and an aftermarket head unit... to many amps being drawn?

went through all i could think of...

when i start the car, i can see the fuel filer fill up, but then as i drive, i notice that it does not remain as full... when i shut the car off filter looks to go dry.

it runs absolutely beautiful... 21in vac, steady needle.... and then it seems to heat up and bam, doesnt want to run.