Trouble starting
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
Trouble starting
Hi,
I'm having issues getting my '71 started after driving it for some time ('71 LT-1 ...with holly carb). When the car is cold it pretty much starts right up as long as i pump the gas to get enough fuel into the carb. After driving the car for 10-15 min if i shut if off and try to start it it will start right up. However usually I'm running to the store or something...so after driving it will usually sit for 5-10 min before i attempt to start it up again...that's when it's pretty much hit or miss as far as getting to start.
When i turn the key the car will turn over but just not start. It has a brand new battery so i know that's not the problem. A friend told me it's probably a a carb issue...he told me to get a small cup of gas and pour it into the carb when it won't start. I tried that but it didn't work (seems there's plenty of gas in there and have flooded it once or twice while struggling to get her started).
I have 2 71's, so i tried swapping ignition coils between the two cars thinking that may be it, but that didn't help either. Not sure what the next step is. Ideas?
Thanks,
Paul
I'm having issues getting my '71 started after driving it for some time ('71 LT-1 ...with holly carb). When the car is cold it pretty much starts right up as long as i pump the gas to get enough fuel into the carb. After driving the car for 10-15 min if i shut if off and try to start it it will start right up. However usually I'm running to the store or something...so after driving it will usually sit for 5-10 min before i attempt to start it up again...that's when it's pretty much hit or miss as far as getting to start.
When i turn the key the car will turn over but just not start. It has a brand new battery so i know that's not the problem. A friend told me it's probably a a carb issue...he told me to get a small cup of gas and pour it into the carb when it won't start. I tried that but it didn't work (seems there's plenty of gas in there and have flooded it once or twice while struggling to get her started).
I have 2 71's, so i tried swapping ignition coils between the two cars thinking that may be it, but that didn't help either. Not sure what the next step is. Ideas?
Thanks,
Paul
Last edited by pwsusi; Oct 10, 2010 at 01:18 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Your going to have to isolate why it won't fire. Too much fuel or no spark sounds like your 2 choices since you tried the cup of fuel.
Does it have TI ignition ?
edit- are you running with all the shielding on the motor ?
Does it have TI ignition ?
edit- are you running with all the shielding on the motor ?
Last edited by ...Roger...; Oct 10, 2010 at 04:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
Out of the two i suspect no spark because it won't start with or without the cup of fuel. Yes the car has TI, but the amp is not hooked up.
Not sure what you mean about all the shielding on the motor
Not sure what you mean about all the shielding on the motor
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
The chrome shielding around the dist can absorb the spark if you have a bad wire.
I was going to suggest you leave the top cover off and see if that makes a diff.
You could also leave the cover off and carry an extra plug wire and plug to check for spark when it won't start.
I was going to suggest you leave the top cover off and see if that makes a diff.
You could also leave the cover off and carry an extra plug wire and plug to check for spark when it won't start.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
It could be that gas is percolating out of the carb and into the manifold while it's sitting. So it's too rich to start. Have you tried holding the accelerator pedal about halfway to the floor while you crank?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
I tried without the ignition shield and no luck. Also tried pumping the pedal, not pumping the pedal, holding it halfway, etc...no dice. Maybe i need new spark plugs? or maybe a problem with my distributor?
Thanks,
Paul
Thanks,
Paul
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I would find an old plug wire and plug.
Next time it happens , remove the top cover , unplug a wire from cap , plug in the old plug wire and lay plug on intake manifold,crank the engine and see if the plug fires.
That will tell you which direction to go.
Next time it happens , remove the top cover , unplug a wire from cap , plug in the old plug wire and lay plug on intake manifold,crank the engine and see if the plug fires.
That will tell you which direction to go.
