Quadrajet - Correct starting procedures
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
Quadrajet - Correct starting procedures
I have a 1978 Quadrajet, what is the correct starting procedures when cold. Pump gas twice, don't pump, I am use to newer cars!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
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From: Southern NH
I pump the gas pedal twice. and it fires right up and goes into high idle. I back it out of the garage, close the garage door, give the throttle a slight tap so it goes into low idle and then take off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
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From: Hinckley OH
For a cold start with a mechanical choke, pushing the gas pedal to the floor allows the choke to set. If the engine is warm, just turn the key and a well tuned engine will start immediately, however, on some of these old cars you need to give it some gas whether warm or cold. Like someone else said, you have to learn what your car likes.
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From: Florida
Check the pump shot by looking down into the carb and working the linkage by hand before ever cranking the cold engine.
Once you get a real shot, it should only take 1 or 2 pumps to start.
If you flood it, hold it to the floor and keep it there until it starts, no more pumping at all, even if you sit there and have to wait a few minutes..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,941
Likes: 35
From: El Cajon California
Your bowl may be dry and your first few pumps may not really pump anything until cranking the engine causes the fuel pump to refill the carb.
Check the pump shot by looking down into the carb and working the linkage by hand before ever cranking the cold engine.
Once you get a real shot, it should only take 1 or 2 pumps to start.
If you flood it, hold it to the floor and keep it there until it starts, no more pumping at all, even if you sit there and have to wait a few minutes..
Check the pump shot by looking down into the carb and working the linkage by hand before ever cranking the cold engine.
Once you get a real shot, it should only take 1 or 2 pumps to start.
If you flood it, hold it to the floor and keep it there until it starts, no more pumping at all, even if you sit there and have to wait a few minutes..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Maybe if you two got off your high perches once and while, and remember what it was like when you were starting out .....you wouldn't have to be so condescending.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
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From: Anderson SC
Which if you are a newer owner, and might not have yet, is precisely why we have this forum in the first place.
Maybe if you two got off your high perches once and while, and remember what it was like when you were starting out .....you wouldn't have to be so condescending.
Maybe if you two got off your high perches once and while, and remember what it was like when you were starting out .....you wouldn't have to be so condescending.
-W
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From: Ontario
Two pumps works for me. One to set the choke and the second to get a little more fuel flowing from the accelerator pump. Fires up in about five seconds into fast-idle mode (~1200-1500rpm).
After the car is warmed up the car will fire instantly by just turning the key.
But in my experience each carb and car develops its own personality. So experiment a bit.
After the car is warmed up the car will fire instantly by just turning the key.
But in my experience each carb and car develops its own personality. So experiment a bit.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
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From: Grand Rapids Michigan
I am still here after 6 years in spite of, not because of people like you and your "answers".
Glad you know every g*dd*mn thing. I'm still learning.
Race Director
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Pump 5 or 6 times, whirl it over a bit while pumping a few more times, wait a few seconds, pump 5 or 6 more times, whirl, more pumping, more whirling.
Start cough quit, pump 2 or 3 times, whirl while feathering gas, start, feather feather feather stumble feather feather stumble feather quit, start and feather without pumping feather feather rough idle slightly better idle, ok
drive, stop, start fine
wait a week and repeat procedure from the beginning
drive like that forever
2 years ago, read Lars papers, attack carb with a purpose and plan rather than randomly adjusting things)
Adjusted everything, fixed several wrong linkages, etc.
Past couple of years it's now whirl engine for about 2-3 seconds
pump twice
start car - fast idle
touch pedal after about 30 seconds - regular idle
drive
I put a new fuel pump on this winter and proper carb filter so hopefully it will fix the drain back and I might not even need to whirl to bring fuel to the carb before trying to start.
Got the latest versions of his papers and I'm going to give it another fine once over again this year just to see if it needs it.
Mooser
Start cough quit, pump 2 or 3 times, whirl while feathering gas, start, feather feather feather stumble feather feather stumble feather quit, start and feather without pumping feather feather rough idle slightly better idle, ok
drive, stop, start fine
wait a week and repeat procedure from the beginning
drive like that forever
2 years ago, read Lars papers, attack carb with a purpose and plan rather than randomly adjusting things)
Adjusted everything, fixed several wrong linkages, etc.
Past couple of years it's now whirl engine for about 2-3 seconds
pump twice
start car - fast idle
touch pedal after about 30 seconds - regular idle
drive
I put a new fuel pump on this winter and proper carb filter so hopefully it will fix the drain back and I might not even need to whirl to bring fuel to the carb before trying to start.
Got the latest versions of his papers and I'm going to give it another fine once over again this year just to see if it needs it.
Mooser