318 wont idle

[chargercalvin]

i have been monkeying around with my 72 318 for a long time now. it will start ok and idle forever, but as soon as i give it gas then try to let it idol it dies, also the exhaust spews gray smoke, i hope it not a bad piston ring burning the oil how can i check?

please help, calvin

[RD]

blue smoke is oil

white smoke is coolant

check your oil to see if it is milky in color.  you may have a bad head gasket or a cracked head.  I do not believe that would affect your problem though.  Have you changed your fuel filter?  there may be some major obstructions that are causing bad fuel flow.  the filter may be allowing enough fuel to idle (albeit poorly), but not enough to actually allow the vehicle to run properly.

Secondly, make sure you have all vacuum ports closed up.  A small leak may be causing your issue.

Thirdly, your carb just may need rebuilt.

Fourthly, you may have an obstruction in your gas tank on your sending unit.  How old is the gas tank?

Lastly, put a pressure gauge on your fuel line, before your fuel filter.  Your fuel pump may be out of whack.  It should read in between 3.5-5 psi if I am not mistaken.

hope this gives you ideas.  good luck!

[Chryco Psycho]

try tightening the intake , could have a vacuum leak too 

[chargercalvin]

could it be due to old gas, no vac leak, carb just rebuilt but it hasnt been tooned

calvin