72 with an earlier 280 engine problem

[The Wizard Of Z]

hello, i have a 1972 240 z, my friend and his dad rebuilt the whole car and then i purchased it off them, it has a new 280 engine in it, im not sure of the year, and it has the dual webber carbs on it, lately ive been having some problems with it, when i start it in the mornings or let it sit for more then a couple of hours and try and start it, i have to let it sit for about 5 mins cause it wont hold up and idle well, and it sounds like its flooded or something, till i step on the gas and i have to floor it all the way and it sounds like i blow out whatever is clogging it or is flooded, then it runs smooth as ever, its a pain in the arse to do this every day and i was wondering if anyone else has had this problem, also in addition i think my car over heats, my temp gage doesnt work though so i dont know for sure, but when im driving and just ideling in traffic or something, all the sudden my rpm just dropps and if i dont keep on the gas it will stall and i cant start it up right away, please if anyone can help let me know

[The Wizard Of Z]

quick edit heres a pic of my engine, i dunno maybe it will help maybe not

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a299/xfaln2piecesx/Theengineo.jpg

[beandip]

First of all the carbs shown are Round top SUs not Weber's . If you look where the top radiator hose connects to the engine . this is where the thermostat is located and also the sending unit for your temp gage. There should be a single wire connected to a spade connector there . This may be your problem with the temp gage . If I understand you correctly , when you first start the engine in the morning it has a tendency to flood because it is running rich ? It sound like either the mixture settings are adjusted to rich , or you are leaving the choke pulled back in the rich position for too long after the engine has warmed up . A too rich of a condition can also be caused by the float level in the carb. being set too high , or the wrong needles installed in the carbs. Is it possible to ask your friend and or his dad , what needles are in the carbs. ? And maybe you could ask them to show you how to adjust the carbs. There is a step by step on how to adjust them in the tech forum , if you wish to try it yourself . Gary