Ever since I installed the correct fuel lines (340 hp) from the fuel pump to the carburator I have had trouble with cold start ups. It now takes 20-30 sec. to start while pumping the gas pedal the entire time. Before, the motor would start right up evan after sitting for a week or longer. Any ideas how I can correct this? I have checked all the connections for leaks and there are none.
-
-
Re: '63 hard to start
Well, I wouldn't use that technique for starting a cold engine (lay on the starter for 30 seconds, fluttering the gas pedal)...
If the car hasn't been driven for a week, you CAN expect the fuel bowl to be low since it has vent stack(s) to equalize pressure to atmospheric ambient.
One technique is to inject gas into the fuel bowl using syringe or squeeze bottle with a flip-nipple top and squirt the gas down the vent stack serving the primary side of the carb to get the bowl full.
Then, use conventional cold start techniques (push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor to set the carb's choke, cold idle and squirt priming fuel into the venturi. She ought to fire right up IF the choke components are adjusted properly.
Another approach that saves removing the air cleaner and injecting fuel into the carb's bowl down the vent stack is to 'tickle' her into starting. By that I mean follow the standard cold start proceedure (pedal to the floor) and crank ONLY for 2-3 seconds.
If she doesn't fire, lay off the starter and repeat the cold start process. Within 2-4 attempts, you'll get enough gas into the fuel bowl for the cold start priming technique to work properly without putting all that cold engine/high friction cranking stress on 'er...
Why you perceive a difference in starting profile after having changed out fuel lines is something I can't explain, but it's typical for a carb based engine to exhibit cold start hesitancy after sitting for 3-days or more... -
Re: '63 hard to start
Thanks Jack. I will use your suggestions. I also have a '79 and I start both of them every Sat. morning. My work requires travel through out the week. The '79 starts up with three pumps of the pedal before I engage the starter. The '63 would start the same way before I changed the fuel lines. It is as if the fuel is being pulled away from the carb back to the fuel pump. Once it starts there is no hesitation what so ever.Comment
-
Re: '63 hard to start
Randy;
What type of fuel line did you have before? The steel line (stock) along with the manifold mounted fuel filter just add to the heat soak problem with an AFB after shut down, which promotes full evaporation of the fuel from the float bowls. It's a fact of life you have to learn to live with with an L-76, if you want it to look completely stock. I gave up on mine because the stinky garage smell was not for me (or the wife). I jacked my carb up with an an L-75 spacer and 2 L-76 gaskets. In so doing, I have to use a hose between the filter and the carb. Also, I use an electric choke which is much better than the stock even though I tried it using a longer choke tube (chrome). The electric pushes and pulls the linkage. Bottom line is my carb runs about 35 degrees cooler than stock, which is enough to make a big difference, but I don't recommend it for show.
Stu FoxComment
-
Re: '63 hard to start
Stuart,
Before I switched to the correct steel lines it had a short (approx. 4 in.) steel line from the pump. Then a rubber hose to the filter and another rubber hose to the carb. I don't know what the diameter of the hose was but it worked better. At least what I have now looks alot better.Comment
-
Re: '63 hard to start
Randy;
I am glad to hear you at least had yours working such that you could get a quick start before. I have never had mine be that way since it was new - and that is after 3 different AFB carbs in 45 years. Mine has always long cranked, which I never minded too much as it helped get a good prelube job before it fired. I have never been a proponent of priming an AFB through the vent tubes because they are above the top plate gasket and any fuel you put in there has to find it's way to the small hole in the gasket before it gets into the bowls. This is probably ok, except it leads to the gasket getting wet with fuel trapped above the gasket which can then sweat out through the gasket sealing surface and give you a messy exterior. I would not recommend squirting fuel in past the venturis either, at least not while it is cranking. As such, I never have primed mine. I am on my second starter only because my original was stolen.
Stu FoxComment
Comment