Moparts Tech Archive

Big Block

Hard Starting Q's

Tony
Moparts Member
Posts: 213
From: Whittier Ca, USA
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 11-11-2002 11:55 AM

How do i get my engine started? It has cold starting problems. I put a choke on it and it helped. I have an important meeting to go to this morning and the car wont start. Does anyone have any ideas on how to start the car? I usually pump it once and it will start. Then I held the pedal to the floor and cranked the engine...nothing.

72 Satellite 400/727 750 edlebrock with a electric choke. Ok 3 hours later i got the car started and into the garage. How or what do i need to check so that this doesnt happen again. when i pull the aircleaner off the choke flap i open about 1/4 inch. Should it be closed all the way first thing in the morning?
If the car wont start after pumping the throttle one time to the floor, should i pump it twice befor i try and start the car?

=======================================

GTXtasy
Moparts Member
Posts: 445
From: Milmont Park, PA USA
Registered: Oct 2002
posted 11-11-2002 11:58 AM

If you hold it to the floor that holds the choke open which defeats the purpose. Try pumping the pedal twice. If the fuel is draining back you may have to crank it till it builds up fuel pressure.

==========================================

Tony
Moparts Member
Posts: 213
From: Whittier Ca, USA
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 11-11-2002 11:59 AM

Why would the fuel be draining back? Is something wrong with my fuel pump? I will try pumping twice, thanks Tony

===========================================

GTXtasy
Moparts Member
Posts: 445
From: Milmont Park, PA USA
Registered: Oct 2002

I would leave the air cleaner off tonight and in the morning push the pedal to the floor once and let up. The choke should be closed with just slight pressure needed to open with the push of your finger on the choke.
Or tonight, look at the choke housing, you should see notches on the choke housing with it set between lean and rich. I would set it at 1 to 2 notches off the lean side. depending on how cold it is in the morning where you are. Is your garage heated?
This is directly from the edelbrock site:

CHOKE ADJUSTMENT

To adjust the choke piston linkage open the choke valve and insert a .026" wire, with a 90 degree bend 1/8" from the end, between the top of the slot in the choke piston cylinder and the bottom of the slot in the piston. Hold the wire in position and close the choke valve by pressing on piston lever A until resistance is felt. The dimension C should be .100" between the top edge of the choke valve and the air horn. To adjust, bend rod B.

To adjust the fast idle linkage place the fast idle screw A between the two notches on the cam. Close the choke valve as far as possible without forcing it. The dimension C should be 3/64" between the choke valve and the air horn. To adjust bend rod D.

Fast idle may be adjusted to manufacturers specifications (usually 1500 rpm) during normal choke cold operation. The fast idle screw A can be adjusted with engine off and throttle held open to allow screw head access. Recheck fast idle speed after each adjustment.

The length of time during which the choke will stay closed is determined by the position of the choke cap. As the choke cap is turned clockwise the choke will stay closed longer. To properly set the choke turn the choke cap to the leanest notch on the choke housing, tighten the choke housing retaining screws, and run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached. With the engine running, slowly turn the choke cap clockwise until the choke valve begins to close. Now turn the choke housing one notch counterclockwise (LEAN) and tighten the choke housing retaining screws. Periodic readjustment of the choke will be required as the temperature changes throughout the year. After each adjustment verify that the choke valve opens fully after the engine is warm.

========================================

5thAve
Moparts Member
Posts: 3735
From:
Registered: Jun 2000
posted 11-12-2002 01:31 AM

You can pump it more then once, sometimes you have to. Sometimes you have to try cranking it a few times and pump it again depending on how long it's been sitting. If you're using the car daily or every other day starting shouldn't be an issue.

==========================================

Guido
Moparts Member
Posts: 147
From: Ames, Iowa
Registered: Oct 2002
posted 11-12-2002 01:52 AM

You mentioned that you didn`t have a choke on it previously. I don`t use one either.
I also live in snow country and it does get very cold.
I use a Holley, so it is different, but for me it doesn`t matter weather it is summer or winter, when I cick it over cold I pump the pedal all the way to the floor 3 times then turn the key.
The only difference between summer and winter, is that in the summer I only have to do it once and it stays running.
In the winter I can pump it 3 times and cick the key, if it`s not real super cold and I get some throttle on it, it will stay running. But if it is 30 below zero or more, I can`t get it to throttle up and it will die. At these times I will have to repeat the 3 pumps and key kicks 3 times before it will rev up and run on it`s own.
I would say that since you have an electric choke on it now, it will take some adjusting as well as getting used to it`s NEW quirks.
Even with a choke, no matter what type, on cold mornings it may be necessary to pumo it once, twice, or even three times before the first attempt to start. But after it does come to life, the choke should take over and keep it running so that you only have to do it once.

==========================================

Tony
Moparts Member
Posts: 213
From: Whittier Ca, USA
Registered: Dec 1999
posted 11-12-2002 11:18 PM

Thanks guys some good information. I live in California and it is not that cold maybe 55-60 degrees early in the morning, and i do drive it every day. I was having trouble awhile back starting in the morning, so i installed a choke, and everything has been fine, except for this last time. I will attempt to adjust the choke, and will pump it twice next time and see if i fires up. The next morning after this happened I pumped the gas once and cranked the engine, but it would not start, so i started pumping the gas as the engine cranked and it started. So maybe pumping the gas twice before i start it will work better. I will try this tommorow

==========================================

Tech Index