Hard Starting
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
From: NY
Hard Starting
Hello Forum, This is my first post. Just got my first vette 71 350 4spd. Before I bought the car it started and ran great. Had it shipped here on a very cold day. Car wouldn't keep running. Would start ,run for 2or3 seconds and die no matter how many times I did it.
Finally after many tries(30or more) and starting fluid got it running. Started right up after shutdown. Just tried to start after 3 months and same problem.Choke appears to be working. Poured 2oz. of gas down carb and started and ran for 20sec. or so. Tried to start again but wouldn't run for more than a couple seconds. Any ideas would be appricated.
Finally after many tries(30or more) and starting fluid got it running. Started right up after shutdown. Just tried to start after 3 months and same problem.Choke appears to be working. Poured 2oz. of gas down carb and started and ran for 20sec. or so. Tried to start again but wouldn't run for more than a couple seconds. Any ideas would be appricated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Welcome to C/F!
You want to be sure the choke closes on a cold engine. Do you know how to do that?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Fuel supply
Hold the choke plate open and crack the throttle open and see if the accelerator pump is good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Instead of pouring gas into the carb can you put an once or two in the vent tube? And see if it starts.
Filling the bowl will keep it runing long enough to see if the fuel pump works.
You have a Q-Jet correct?
Filling the bowl will keep it runing long enough to see if the fuel pump works.
You have a Q-Jet correct?
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 12
From: NY
Update, Poured gas down vent tube and car started ,ran couple min. and stalled. Poured gas down again ,started and ran. Tried again 3hrs. later and started. Choke operated as it should. Fuel filter looked OK
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: York Pa.
I see you can pour gas in after it sits and then starts..one thing that stands out is if the carb float was set right the fuel should be there the next time you start it..so you start it after pouring gas into the vent and then it starts again 3 hours later..I assume that it would not start then in the morning..like the fuel is not there..ok it could be fuel pressure but how does it run once you do get it going..does it stall..can you run it thru the gears or does it shut off after about 5 minutes? If it does stall or stumble shut off and carry on then I would look at the fuel pressure..ie pump or filter..I think you have another problem though..sounds like the center part of the carb is leaking..it's the caps that cover the venturis drill spots..you do have to take the carb apart to get to them..I use a touch of an epoxy on them to seal them up..
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 19
From: arlington TX
Hey,
Sounds fuel related.
"the fuel filter looks ok" - what does that mean? Is it a clear one? If it is a stock type (metal can) remove and tap "Inlet" end on the ground. What comes out? If just gas, ok. If it has flakes of junk, replace filter and see what happens, If it runs good, then filter was plugged. Keep in mind that the junk in the filter came from somewhere! Keep an eye on it. If it happens again, gas has junk in it, Drain tank.
Also, disconnect the fuel line at the carb, put a rubber line on it so you can direct fuel to a can, etc and have a friend crank the engine. Should come out with good force. If not, replace fuel pump.
How did the gas look, smell (you said it sat for a while) - bubbles? = water in gas.
Might take cap off of fuel tank and look inside with flashlight (NOT a lighter!! LOL). See what's in there. If it has "bubbles" at the bottom, that's water. A lot of water and it won't run. Dark flakes at the bottom? May be rust from the tank having problems.
Just some ideas.
Good luck.
walt
Sounds fuel related.
"the fuel filter looks ok" - what does that mean? Is it a clear one? If it is a stock type (metal can) remove and tap "Inlet" end on the ground. What comes out? If just gas, ok. If it has flakes of junk, replace filter and see what happens, If it runs good, then filter was plugged. Keep in mind that the junk in the filter came from somewhere! Keep an eye on it. If it happens again, gas has junk in it, Drain tank.
Also, disconnect the fuel line at the carb, put a rubber line on it so you can direct fuel to a can, etc and have a friend crank the engine. Should come out with good force. If not, replace fuel pump.
How did the gas look, smell (you said it sat for a while) - bubbles? = water in gas.
Might take cap off of fuel tank and look inside with flashlight (NOT a lighter!! LOL). See what's in there. If it has "bubbles" at the bottom, that's water. A lot of water and it won't run. Dark flakes at the bottom? May be rust from the tank having problems.
Just some ideas.
Good luck.
walt
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
sounds like a fuel delivery problem.....disconnect line from the fuel pump to carb and crank the engine and measure flow over a set time frame. ie 16 oz over 15 secs and compare this to the fuel pump specs. i suspect this is your problem
