Starting after winter storage

[Steven K.]

First year with '65 L76. Tried to start up and pull out of storage since Nov. Followed a recommended procedure, turn for 5 sec, 2 pumps, wait 10-15 sec, and repeat. I did this 4 or so time and it fired up but was running very rough and I had to keep gas on at around 1,500-2,000 rpm to keep engine from stalling. More vibration than normal at low RPMs and died after trying to let idle. Car would start, waited and hour and tried procedure again. This time could get the car to start with gas fully depressed but wouldn't idle and stalled out. Tried to start a third time with no luck and decided to let it sit for a day.

I had a similar issue last year when he car sat for 4 weeks. I let it sit for a day and it started and ran fine the next day. Feels like the carb dries out, I flood it trying to restart. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[Eric P.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Steven,
Maybe I can help? I have had similar problems, and often found it to be an easy fix. I sent you a private message with my phone number opposed to sending a long-winded reply.

Eric Patty

[Dan B.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Remove your air cleaner and check the operation of your choke.

When was your carb last cleaned and serviced........

[Harry S.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Check the carb and air cleaner for a mouse house!

[Steven K.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

HAd the cover off and choke looked to be working. It opened up as the car warmed up. Carb was serviced last summer and ran well.

[Steven K.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Thanks Harry, but no mice, car was in a heated garage inside a car capsule. Did check the carb and it's clean.

[Mike T.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Steven - I've got '4' midyears, two smallblocks, two bigblocks. I do drive them but with my current (overstuffed garage situation), they may wait in the wings for 3-4 months or more before they come up in the rotation. Just two days ago, I moved the Mosport L79 Coupe over to where I could get it spiffed up for an upcoming car show and did the usual, cranked the engine over for something like 8-10 seconds and then hit the gas. Nothing. Okay, lets try another dozen or so crank rotations and then hit the gas a couple times. Nothing again. Pulled the air cleaner lid off and was stunned to see the secondaries dripping big time into the venturies. What the hell was going on. It wasn't like it was a year or more, just something like a few months. With the key off, the damned carb (refreshed by me just a year ago, meaning less than a two or three hundred miles of driving) was continuing to drip out fuel. Got out the dreaded Quick Start - Starting Fluid and with a spray down the ventury, it started but the secondaries were still dripping big time. Then I used the quick start fluid down the rear bowl breather tube, and it was just enough to flush off whatever varnish had accumulated o the needle and seat. From that point on, no more leaks and it ran fine. It can be surprising how fast a carburetor can get gummed up.

[Steven K.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Mike - what you described is similar I think. I noticed that even after the car was off, key out, there was fuel droplets dripping into the secondary. Did you spray in the primary and secondary?

[Chris H.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

The fuel bowls dry up after about a week of sitting. What I do after extended sitting is squirt a little gas down the carb throats. Usually then fires instantly. Saves you from cranking and cranking and cranking as the fuel pump fills up the fuel bowls. I do this with all my engines/ lawn equipment etc. I picked up a really cool fuel dragster squirter that works great.

[Bert L.]

Re: Starting after winter storage

Chris, some of my hobby vehicles and property maintenance equipment will remain dormant for several months at a time,
not good I know. They usually wake up with minimal cranking using the simple method
you adhere to.
Cheers,