Basic ignition question - STARTER 71
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Basic ignition question - STARTER 71
I have replaced plugs, wires, distro cap, rotor, points (dual), and coil in last 1K miles.
The engine is turning over great, just like a beast, it seems healthy, I am getting spark. Eventually, it catches after taking a few cranks, that is if it hasn't flooded enough that I have to let it set awhile and try again. Eventually it goes. I am CERTAINLY getting plenty of fuel.
Could this be a starter issue?
71, 350, manual trans.
Seems basic, I know it must be some sort of spark issue. Any ideas on how to narrow it down? Could it be as simple as I flooded it because I forgot to choke the carb both times this happened?
The engine is turning over great, just like a beast, it seems healthy, I am getting spark. Eventually, it catches after taking a few cranks, that is if it hasn't flooded enough that I have to let it set awhile and try again. Eventually it goes. I am CERTAINLY getting plenty of fuel.
Could this be a starter issue?
71, 350, manual trans.
Seems basic, I know it must be some sort of spark issue. Any ideas on how to narrow it down? Could it be as simple as I flooded it because I forgot to choke the carb both times this happened?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Check that you're getting full power to the coil when you're cranking. There are 2 wires on the + side of the coil. One is the resistor wire and the other comes from the outboard terminal on the starter solenoid. That wire's function is to supply 12 volts to the coil for start only.
If the engine cranks over well I'd say it's not going to be a starter problem.
If the engine cranks over well I'd say it's not going to be a starter problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,236
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BES,
You DO need to push all the way down on the gas pedal to set the choke BEFORE you turn the key to start. I pump the gas pedal once more and then start the engine. You need to feel your way as to how much you pump the pedal before it starts to learn to not flood it. It varies from carb to carb and engine to engine.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Check to make sure the choke IS actally being set whe you push the gas pedal down. Remember these 35 year old cars with carbs/ dstributors don't start quite as quickly as newer FI/ electronic ignition cars we drive every day. That's part of the fun of old cars.
You DO need to push all the way down on the gas pedal to set the choke BEFORE you turn the key to start. I pump the gas pedal once more and then start the engine. You need to feel your way as to how much you pump the pedal before it starts to learn to not flood it. It varies from carb to carb and engine to engine.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Check to make sure the choke IS actally being set whe you push the gas pedal down. Remember these 35 year old cars with carbs/ dstributors don't start quite as quickly as newer FI/ electronic ignition cars we drive every day. That's part of the fun of old cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
I would check and make sure it still has gas in the bowl of the carb.
If it is a quadrajet they are good for leaking fuel out of the bottom and the fuel bowel will be empty.
You can check for this by looking in the top of the carb. and hitting the accelerator a couple of times. If you get a nice solid stream of fuel squirting out it still has fuel and if no fuel squirts into the carb. the bowl is empty.
If it is a quadrajet they are good for leaking fuel out of the bottom and the fuel bowel will be empty.
You can check for this by looking in the top of the carb. and hitting the accelerator a couple of times. If you get a nice solid stream of fuel squirting out it still has fuel and if no fuel squirts into the carb. the bowl is empty.
