starting issues
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
starting issues
65 coupe 327/350hp. This car has had a history of starting problems that just continues. When I got the car, choke was not right, fixed that. Ignition switch was testy, replaced it. Starter was weak, replaced. Battery ok. Points ignition was replaced before my ownership with mallory electronic unilite module. Here's the problem: Car is hard to start hot or cold. Recently starting hot has really been a problem. I always have some starting fluid on hand. When it is running, no stalls, stumbles, hesitation. It basically runs like a tiger. I noticed some fuel lightly squirting out of accelerator pumps the other day when it was hot and parked for 10 minutes, but only that one time. My floats may need some adjustment but that wouldn't explain cold start problems. Any suggestions? Not enough spark?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by rahzip
When you say starting problems. Do you mean it cranks like crazy but wont start or it cranks slowly, it tries to star but just doesnt quite get there. Please explain.
Need more info.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
starting trouble
cranks like crazy, no problem there. I'll pedal once when cold, sometimes twice and when it's hot maybe once depending on how long it has sat. The engine will sputter after a couple cranks both hot and cold and if I catch it fast enough with the gas it will start. checked cold float level in carb today and it is ok. My coil looks stock. I wondering if the spark is strong enough.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
If it cranks real good, most likely, your starting fuel/air mixture is incorrect.
spark is easy to check, get an old spark plug, grind or cut the finger off so you just have the electrode exposed ,and get somebody to weld or braze a decent spring clamp to the side of the plug. Clamp should be large enuf to grab onto a bolt head or engine bracket nice and tight. attach any plug wire to the test plug and crank engine.
if you get spark between center electrode and outer ring, you are good to go for spark.
Doug
spark is easy to check, get an old spark plug, grind or cut the finger off so you just have the electrode exposed ,and get somebody to weld or braze a decent spring clamp to the side of the plug. Clamp should be large enuf to grab onto a bolt head or engine bracket nice and tight. attach any plug wire to the test plug and crank engine.
if you get spark between center electrode and outer ring, you are good to go for spark.
Doug
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
starting problems
lately I think that when I shut it off and immediately restart it has trouble. How do you adjust starting mixture. Choke is closed at cold start. Idle circuit is adjusted to 1/2 to full turn. It used to be really rich but it still had cold start trouble back then. I have a spark tester with the alligator clip, tried a plug, had fire but how do I know if it's enough. should I adjust gap wider?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Check for power at the coil (+) terminal while cranking it - sounds like the 18-ga. black/purple wire bypass circuit from the "R" terminal on the starter solenoid to the coil (+) terminal is open; when that happens, the coil gets no power while cranking - only gets power with the key in the "on" position. 
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