Recently purchased a 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup. All original sheet metal, interior, dash, etc. Only thing non original is the 216 had been swapped out for a 1955 235, and it has been converted to a 12v system. After a few weeks of going through the fuel system, engine, electrical, etc, I got it fired up yesterday. What a joy to hear the engine!
A few quick questions I had for members on here are:
1) I rebuilt the Rochester B carb the truck came with. The carb was in surprisingly great shape but as with most things that sit 20 years, the varnish definitely settled in spots. I do not currently have the choke hooked up (for some reason the cable appears to have been cut), however, my problem is that it doesn't want to start without pouring just a touch of gas in the carb to get it going. Once she fires up, it idles like a dream. Incredibly smooth. I have a brand new gas tank that I haven't installed yet, so instead I ran a new line to a gas can in an effort to only run clean fuel. Do these trucks need somewhat of a gravity feed to the fuel pump itself before it can pump fuel up to the carb? I have read a few articles but I can't seem to find the answer yet. I am a bit confused because if there isn't enough fuel level pressure (gravity) to start the truck, why would it be able to idle just fine?
2) The truck idles really nicely. It also slow revs ok. However, when I tried to rev the truck up (nothing over the top), it seemed to bog down and the wipers turned themselves on for a second then stopped. Does this sound like a vacuum issue, or a fuel starvation issue? I'm leaning towards fuel starvation as I can't get the truck to start on it's own without some gas in the carb. On another note, the truck seems to be running really rich. Small bits of fuel dripping out of the tail pipe and I can definitely smell it running rich. Is this normal for a 65 year old engine, or should I adjust the idle mixture a touch? I screwed the mixture screw in all the way, then backed it out 2 turns as stated in the manual.
I think I am getting really close to having the engine & electrical dialed in before taking on other issues. Any insight the board can provide on this would be helpful! I am not one to start making a million adjustments just because something seems off, I would rather do a bit of research and make finite adjustments and go from there.
Fix the choke cable- - -it's necessary to choke the engine on a cold start. Unless you're getting the coolant warmed up to normal running temp after every cold start, the spark plugs will get sooty- - - -especially if you keep pouring gas down the carburetor throat. You're also one backfire away from a really bad fire if you keep pouring gas into the intake- - - -do you have a good extinguisher handy? Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Fix the choke cable- - -it's necessary to choke the engine on a cold start. Unless you're getting the coolant warmed up to normal running temp after every cold start, the spark plugs will get sooty- - - -especially if you keep pouring gas down the carburetor throat. You're also one backfire away from a really bad fire if you keep pouring gas into the intake- - - -do you have a good extinguisher handy? Jerry
I tried to use the choke manually to start the truck for the first time and nothing. Gave it a touch of gas and she fired right up and I let it get up to temp. Not worried about sooty plugs. The amount of gas I used to get the truck going was very very minimal. Not an uncommon technique to get a truck to start after sitting for 20 years. You can wear a starter out pretty quick that way.
Thanks for the response and I do plan to get the choke going for cold starts. Still looking for tips on why it won't restart on it's own, and why it tends to bog during slight revving. I am leaning towards accelerator pump not functioning correctly. I will probably need to peak down the carb while actuating the throttle to see if it squirts fuel.
