Thread: stubborn engine starting

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I sure could use some advice. My 31 Chevy rod SBC 350 has developed a starting problem. If the car is started at least every other day, no problem. But if it goes a few extra days, it does not want to start. It starts just fine if I prime the carb with some gas. I can see gas spitting into the fuel filter when cranking the engine. Is there an air leak in the fuel lines that I have not found that is causing the carb to loose its prime? The carb is an Edelbrock with a manual choke. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Reg Mason

Denny,

The problem does not seem to care about the ambient temperature in the garage. Same problem warm or cold. When I first obtained the car, I pulled out the manual choke, gave it a couple of pumps on the pedal and it started. I have since tried not pumping, pumping a lot, choke or no choke combinations without much luck. Now procedure is: lift hood, remove air cleaner cover, spritz gas from an old 409 bottle, get in, sit down, choke carb, starts right up, get out, put air cleaner cover back on, close hood, get in and split. I never thought going for a cruise would be so time consuming.

Reg

Thanks Denny!

I will check out the fuel pump. But I think I will spend this evening perusing your web site.

Reg

i agree with denny probably the check valve in the fuel pump.... i've had the same problem a few times..... it could just have some dirt or something keeping it open but either way i'd just replace it... they're not all that expensive..... i think i paid $8 last time i bought a mechanical pump

same thing happened to me, until one night i was changing my air cleaner and noticed a squirting sound coming from the intake, i looked down the carb and every few seconds some gas would squirt out of and down the intake, if i let it sit for a week the thing would never start well im guessing all the fuel would leak out of the bowls and evaporate i took the car off cleaned it and now its fine. but i would first check out the pump like Denny said hes usually pretty on target. and plus he has been working on cars longer than i have been alive haha. but if all else fails clean the carb with carb cleaner because carb cleaner fixes EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!

same prob. here i have an 89 chevy whih sbc 400 and holley. same procedure lift hood squirt gas go and it starts right up. also i noticed it leaks in between the carb and intake could it be the prob?

i dont know if gas leaking between the carb and intake would cause strating problems. but i would reccomend fixing that even if it isnt causing any problems.

Originally Posted by #1firebird

same prob. here i have an 89 chevy whih sbc 400 and holley. same procedure lift hood squirt gas go and it starts right up. also i noticed it leaks in between the carb and intake could it be the prob?

If your leaking gas out from between the carb and intake your also leaking vacuum when running which makes for hard starting.