Startup woes

[DodgeT]

Any ideas why I have to pump the living **** out of my 440 any time I want to start it cold? Warm she fires right up, but if she sits for a day I have to pump it like 50 times while turning it over to get her to fire.

Changing timing doesn't really seem to help. I am still running points (long story why) but I just don't think it should be this hard to start it each time.

Carb otherwise seems fine, and my choke seems to keep it running once I get it started.


440, auto, N96
Comp Cams Xtreme Energy XE268H
4v
10.5ish compression

 

[SlinktRR]

Any fuel in the bowls? Do you see any gas out of the acc pump if you open the throttle with the air cleaner off. Mine goes dry if it sits for a week and I have to go through the same process. Its part of using carbs in the modern age of ethanol fuel. Starter fluid or gas down the carb will shorten the process if the car has sat a long time. One sure solution could be efi conversion.

 

[cudajunction]

What kind of carb? If its an edelbrock fairly common problem.

 

[DodgeT]

Just the stock Carter. If I dump a quarter cup of gas down the carb she fires almost immediately.

 

[cudajunction]

Check the threads here about this issue with the carter/edelbrocks lots of info.

 

[coloradodave]

What kind of carb? If its an edelbrock fairly common problem.

Please see Post #2 above. It's not a carburetor problem, it's a fuel problem. Carburetors are vented to the atmosphere, unlike EFI, and therefore evaporation happens quickly with current fuel.

 

[74gtx]

I have to agree with coloradodave. Most carbureted cars do this now.

 

[DodgeT]

I have to agree with coloradodave. Most carbureted cars do this now.

Okay. I appreciate the responses. This has been my experience lately as well.

 

[Dennis H]

I don't know about 50 times, but it is a characteristic. Ethanol boils off fast at only 173 f. Mine about 2-3 times to the floor is enough when dead cold. Starts and runs better too now that it has been returned to a manual Carter fuel pump.