1963 340HP ignition problems

[Jeff C.]

When engine is cold requires long cranking time with engine firing once or twice until it starts but running very rough. Then it smooth out and runs and drives very well. Shut it down for a few minuets and it starts right up. Leave it for 30+ minuets and it starts like it did cold. I have done the following to try to fix the problem:
-new points and condenser, distributor is in good shape.
-set dwell to 30 deg and timing to 14 deg BTDC vac pluged. Vac can is a B28 and works.
-changed to another coil which checks out OK on primary and secondary resistance
-checked ballast resistor, 1.9 ohms.
The engine did start hot and cold OK, but then started quitting with out warning during normal driving. It could be restated but I had to run at at least 2500 RPM to keep it running. I don't the carb is not running out of gas as when I try to start from hot or cold the accel pump shoots in gas.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Jeff

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1963 340HP ignition problems

Jeff,

I think the ethonal fuel evaporates when the car sits for a few days. If you are cranking the starter during cold start filling the bowls with fuel and pumping the pedal you could be flooding the engine causing the rough running at start up. I can't help but wonder if the hot air choke is working correctly with the piston sticking at times causing some issues.

Does the engine still have it's original carburetor.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 340HP ignition problems

Jeff, when you start up cold is the choke closing the butterfly? and what is the choke coil set at sometimes when the coil on the choke is set to rich the choke will tend to cause cold start issues, and warm restarts. I have my 63 327/340 car choke set at two notches to the lean side which seems to work ok for me. Don't forget also if the cars been sitting for a few weeks a long crank time is normal until the float bowl fills with gas.

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 340HP ignition problems

Does black smoke come out the exhaust after a cold start in the mornings ? If so, you're flooding the car. Likewise after a hot run and 30 minute shutdown fuel can percolate (a REAL common problem) down onto the intake runners from heat soak and you are then, once again, you are essentially starting a flooded car. There are things you can do to mitigate it if that is indeed the problem.

[Terry D.]

Re: 1963 340HP ignition problems

The engine having to run 2500 to stay running usually indicates the float is stuck and too much gas is running into carb.