85 Hard to Start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
85 Hard to Start
My 85 seems to have to crank too much to start. Engine has approx 40K miles and was rebuilt with a mild Competition cam. Pretty stock otherwise. Runs fine once started but has a little pinging at WOT. I'm considering a Performance Distributors HEI coil and cap to get a little hotter spark. Anybody got any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Check fuel pressure, key on, engine not running, line to fuel pressure regulator disconnected and plugged. Sounds like pressure is relieved when shut off instead of holding....therefore longer crank at startup.
Then do your tune up.
When the cam was changed, was a new computer chip made for this cam. The cam changes the breathing of the engine more than any other changes and usually requires new chip. Your computer can compensate for a lot of this change but not all.
Then do your tune up.
When the cam was changed, was a new computer chip made for this cam. The cam changes the breathing of the engine more than any other changes and usually requires new chip. Your computer can compensate for a lot of this change but not all.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Thanks for the tip. I assume I should check the pressure at the tap on the fuel rail. What should the pressure be and should it hold steady with the key off? Is there some kind of check valve?
As far as a chip goes, I looked up the cam and the description from Competition is that it is a very mild grind. I considered putting in a Hypertech chip but I read several posts that stated Hypertech is a waste of money. Don't know if it's worth burning a chip for what seems to be a small change in the cam.
I'll see how this engine runs after a new ignition system and a fuel pressure check.
Thanks again.
As far as a chip goes, I looked up the cam and the description from Competition is that it is a very mild grind. I considered putting in a Hypertech chip but I read several posts that stated Hypertech is a waste of money. Don't know if it's worth burning a chip for what seems to be a small change in the cam.
I'll see how this engine runs after a new ignition system and a fuel pressure check.
Thanks again.
