When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just purchased a 63 S/W fuelie and it is almost impossible to start the car without squirting starter fluid into the unit. Once started, it seems to run and start again fine. I talked to the previous owner who told me he had the same problem and was always worried about the car not starting when he drove it to a show and it sat for any length of time. Can anyone help with this issue short of sending the entire unit away. The car has been completely restored and the engine department is very nicely detailed but I do not know what has been done to the fulie unit internally.
Is the problem only when hot? (are you holding half throttle when hot starting?)
Is your choke working properly? Are you setting it properly before starting?
I am by no means an expert, but these were some of the problems I had when I first got my fuelie. Might also want to give Jack P. or John D. a call, I have found them both to be very helpful even when I was not purchasing something from them.
I've had a terrible time getting GOOD cranking signal valves. The all-new reproductions have a very high failure rate after the first 20 to 30 starts. In fact, I've stopped installing the NEW reproduction CSV's completely.
The best CSV's on the current market seem to be the originals rebuilt by Frank Antonicelli in PA. His rebuilt valves are sold by most of the major FI parts suppliers. I haven't seen one of them fail yet.
The odd thing is that Frank's rebuilt valves cost less than the new reproductions.
Is there a way to know for sure if this is in fact a cranking signal valve problem? Where do I get the valve that are rebuilt by Frank Antonicelli in PA. I am sorry to say but I am a novice when it comes to engines and especially the fuel injection units.
First of all, pumping the pedal does nothing for a FI car. There is no accelerator pump. Assuming that the CSV is good, make sure that you set the choke before cranking, and on COLD starts, keep your foot OFF the gas pedal. On hot starts, hold the pedal to the floor.
The choke "closure" is essential to cold starts, even on hot days. I've had my 63FI car for 36 years, and know the quirks of FI cars. Chuck
Yes, there is a way to check and see if it is the CSV, but it's a pain.
Replace the valve with a brass vacuum hose nipple from an auto parts store. Place a vacuum hose between the existing tube from the main diaphragm and the hose nipple.
Try a cold start with this "jumper connection" in place. If the engine gets fuel and fires, you've proven the CSV is causing your starting problem. Turn off the engine immediately. You don't want to let it run for any time with full manifold vacuum pulling on the main diaphragm. If the engine doesn't fire, then the CSV wasn't your problem.
Personally, I would just order and install one of Frank's valves. You've told me enough to convince me that your CSV is shutting on cranking vacuum. And yes, this is one of the problems I've had with the reproductions. The ol' suck test might tell you if a CSV won't seal, but it won't tell you if it seals too quickly.
Honest FI parts suppliers I've used:
Frank Antonicelli (PA), (717) 566-5039
John DeGregory (PA), (724) 832-3786
Jim Neuffer (NY), (716) 637-9562
Jim Thorpe (IA), (563) 359-7863
don't fill bad I was at Corvettes at Carlisle on the auction field and saw a 65 fuelie that started at $75,000 and watched try to turn the motor over for about a min.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.