C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What's the reason why my 454 engine does not start?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 05:26 PM
  #1  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default What's the reason why my 454 engine does not start?

The engine belongs to my 72 Chevy Nova, i left the car in the autumn, well parked in my garage, nice and clean and with humidity control, a few days ago I tried to switch the engine back to life but it didnt work, there was new fuel in the tank, new plugs, fuel pump works well and battery has been just charget but, still, the engine refuses to return to life.I even tried with ether, it seemed to start working but after a couple of secs died again.

the car was working well when I parked it soo whats going on?
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 05:30 PM
  #2  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

Check for spark at the coil first by the sounds of it
M

Last edited by Mooser; Feb 12, 2021 at 06:24 PM. Reason: missed it seemed to start working but after a couple of secs died again.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 06:10 PM
  #3  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
Default

The float is stuck. Rap the inlet with a wooden handle and try again.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 06:23 PM
  #4  
Mooser's Avatar
Mooser
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Default

I totally missed the "it seemed to start working but after a couple of secs died again." bit
M
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 06:25 PM
  #5  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

one or the other or both. points could have corroded enough to not let current flow. got timing light? it is also a spark checker. no flash, no spark. you did not say how well it cranks on the starter.

Last edited by derekderek; Feb 12, 2021 at 07:12 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 09:16 PM
  #6  
Sigforty's Avatar
Sigforty
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
Default

What carb are you running? Is it an electric fuel pump? Did you fill the carb bowl? My first thought after a car sits up is fuel in the bowl evaporated and you need to get the bowl filled up. How are you verifying the pump works?
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 10:51 PM
  #7  
ZAKsPop's Avatar
ZAKsPop
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 156
From: Richmond Texas
Default

Raise the hood and have someone video the engine while you attempt to start it, then post the video. That will help. Sounds like it will not stay running. Fuel issue...In bocca al lupo

Last edited by ZAKsPop; Feb 12, 2021 at 10:52 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 12:33 AM
  #8  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by ZAKsPop
Raise the hood and have someone video the engine while you attempt to start it, then post the video. That will help. Sounds like it will not stay running. Fuel issue...In bocca al lupo
thanks I will today, yes.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 12:34 AM
  #9  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by derekderek
one or the other or both. points could have corroded enough to not let current flow. got timing light? it is also a spark checker. no flash, no spark. you did not say how well it cranks on the starter.
it cranks strongly....
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 12:35 AM
  #10  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by Sigforty
How are you verifying the pump works?
By the typical sound undercarriage...
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 07:22 AM
  #11  
derekderek's Avatar
derekderek
Race Director
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Default

ok, the real problem is the car was imported to italy. in english nova is an exploding star. in spanish and italian No va means "it doesn't go"."
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 08:02 AM
  #12  
Rescue Rogers's Avatar
Rescue Rogers
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,222
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

spark, fuel, air


Disconnect the fuel line and put the end in a plastic bottle, have someone crank the car a second or 2 and look for fuel flow...reconnect...go fuel, go to the plugs

remove a spark plug and ground the bent side electrode and have someone crank it and watch fir spark at the gap. It should very bright...no or weak spark?

go from there
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 01:03 PM
  #13  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by ZAKsPop
Raise the hood and have someone video the engine while you attempt to start it, then post the video. That will help. Sounds like it will not stay running. Fuel issue...In bocca al lupo
https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...e/IMG_6486.MOV

Last edited by panic; Feb 13, 2021 at 01:58 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 01:18 PM
  #14  
Gale Banks 80''s Avatar
Gale Banks 80'
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
Default

I'm not familiar with the Demon Carbs but it looks as though there is no choke. So look down the forward barrels of the Carb and and twist the Throttle a few times. I will bet that You won't, a sign that the Carb has no Fuel in it.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 02:19 PM
  #15  
ZAKsPop's Avatar
ZAKsPop
Drifting
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 156
From: Richmond Texas
Default

Just coming in as a picture. Why not just upload the video here?
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 02:39 PM
  #16  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by ZAKsPop
Just coming in as a picture. Why not just upload the video here?
it is a video but It comes on the post as a pic, dont know why
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2021 | 02:42 PM
  #17  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

This might work.

https://app.photobucket.com/u/panici...4-1396bd4eedb9

Last edited by panic; Feb 13, 2021 at 02:43 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To What's the reason why my 454 engine does not start?

Old Feb 13, 2021 | 03:53 PM
  #18  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,742
Likes: 2,583
Default

Did you look down the throat of the carburetor when you open the throttle by hand to see if gas is squirting in both the primary and secondary side of the carburetor?
in the video it appears you pumped the gas pedal once. How do you expect the engine to start with no choke and no priming of the carburetor?

Last edited by MelWff; Feb 13, 2021 at 03:57 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2021 | 01:59 AM
  #19  
kossuth's Avatar
kossuth
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Likes: 275
From: Frederick MD
Default

Can't tell by the video but have some questions here to gain further context.
1. Fuel pump: You say it works well but how do you know this? What was your criteria for testing? Also is it an electric pump or some kinda screwball mechanical setup? I'm under the impression it's electric and also seeing the fuel pressure regulator on the passenger side fender but want to know for sure being you didn't say that. If it's electric just because you hear it run doesn't mean it's making pressure. You need approximately 7 psi of fuel pressure with a carb engine. Could be alot of things, but need to know the system alittle more before we can give you any direction.
2. In your video it looks like there is a fuel pressure gauge plumbed into the fuel system by the passenger side valve cover. If that's what it is do you have any pressure reading?

Last edited by kossuth; Feb 14, 2021 at 02:01 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2021 | 05:32 AM
  #20  
panic's Avatar
panic
Thread Starter
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Default

Originally Posted by kossuth
Can't tell by the video but have some questions here to gain further context.
1. Fuel pump: You say it works well but how do you know this? What was your criteria for testing? Also is it an electric pump or some kinda screwball mechanical setup? I'm under the impression it's electric and also seeing the fuel pressure regulator on the passenger side fender but want to know for sure being you didn't say that. If it's electric just because you hear it run doesn't mean it's making pressure. You need approximately 7 psi of fuel pressure with a carb engine. Could be alot of things, but need to know the system alittle more before we can give you any direction.
2. In your video it looks like there is a fuel pressure gauge plumbed into the fuel system by the passenger side valve cover. If that's what it is do you have any pressure reading?
it's an electric pump, The pump works as it revs well BUT maybe the fuel dors not arrive to the carb, maybe a fuel filter is blocked?

As for the fuel pressure gauge, yes there is one, matter is if the engine doesnt start can I read any measure or could I read a figure just cranking the engine?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:14 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE