Fuel Problem?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Fuel Problem?
After my car has been sitting overnight I need to crank the engine for about a minute or longer before it gets gas and starts. I rebuilt the carburetor, replaced the fuel pump, replaced the rubber fuel hoses at the pump and tank and it still does it. I borrowed a carburetor from a friend and still had the same problem. I have inspected the fuel line front to back and don’t see anything wrong with it (I can’t see all of it up to the right of the tank). I can’t smell gas anywhere after driving so I don’t think it is leaking.
Am I missing something?
Should I just go ahead and replace the fuel line anyway?
Any ideas?
Thanks for your input.
Jim
Am I missing something?
Should I just go ahead and replace the fuel line anyway?
Any ideas?
Thanks for your input.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
I assume your choke is working properly? Before I hooked up the electric choke on my car, it would crank and crank and crank and eventually start..now, 3 pumps of the gas peddle and VROOOOM...unless the temperature is what it's been lately...10-15 above zero...then it takes a couple of tries...warmer days...good start.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Thanks for the replies.
The choke is working fine. I used JB-Weld on the well plugs when I rebuilt it. It starts fine once it gets gas and will start fine all day long even when hot. Once it has started for the day all it takes is one pump on the gas pedal and it starts so quick I don’t even hear the starter. If I disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor before starting it for the day it is dry, no gas. Shouldn’t some still be in the line?
The carburetor I borrowed came off a Malibu with a 305 so it didn’t run too well but it still had the same starting problem the next morning. When we put it back on the Malibu it worked fine even a few days later.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks Jim
The choke is working fine. I used JB-Weld on the well plugs when I rebuilt it. It starts fine once it gets gas and will start fine all day long even when hot. Once it has started for the day all it takes is one pump on the gas pedal and it starts so quick I don’t even hear the starter. If I disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor before starting it for the day it is dry, no gas. Shouldn’t some still be in the line?
The carburetor I borrowed came off a Malibu with a 305 so it didn’t run too well but it still had the same starting problem the next morning. When we put it back on the Malibu it worked fine even a few days later.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
This is the most common problem with Rochesters. It is still leaking out of the Carb and the bowl is empty in the morning. There should always be enough fuel in the accelerator pump to start the engine, but most of it has leaked out, so you dont get much charge in the morning. Take it back apart and recheck the wells.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach Florida
also sounds like the fuel is leaking pass the neddle and seats .Did you change them when you rebuilt them? could also be some dirt on the seat keeping the neddle from seating and that lets the fuel leak into the manifold
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 18,475
Likes: 3
From: Quincy IL
my 79 has done this since i have owned it, 10 years. it did it before the engine rebuild with the old carb, with the same carb rebuilt by a local carb professional, (rebuilt it twice). still does it after the engine was rebuilt and a new edelbrock quadrajet was installed. my choke works fine, the car runs great. no overly rich smell ever. once you get it started, (usually 3 good cranks and some pedal poppin), it will start all day long, in fact you can lean over the side and blip the engine over with out touching the gas pedal, idles right were it should. it's not a big deal, but is a little annoying. I grew up with carbs, not fuel injection, and never had this type of problem.
BTW, I epoxied the well plugs on the new edelbrock quad before i put it in service.
BTW, I epoxied the well plugs on the new edelbrock quad before i put it in service.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Thanks for the replies.
Gary79, it is good to hear somebody else is having the same thing going on. I agree with you it's not a big deal, but I am sure it is wearing out the starter. I also know it is not normal and would like to figure out what is happening.
I am just not sure it is all Carburetor related. After I tested with the other Carburetor (engine just running and fuel line full of gas) I put mine back on (it had no gas in it) and it started up with only a couple of cranks, not the long cranking like when the whole car has been sitting overnight.
If I ever figure it out I will let you know what it was.
Jim
Gary79, it is good to hear somebody else is having the same thing going on. I agree with you it's not a big deal, but I am sure it is wearing out the starter. I also know it is not normal and would like to figure out what is happening.
I am just not sure it is all Carburetor related. After I tested with the other Carburetor (engine just running and fuel line full of gas) I put mine back on (it had no gas in it) and it started up with only a couple of cranks, not the long cranking like when the whole car has been sitting overnight.
If I ever figure it out I will let you know what it was.
Jim