The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop hard starting problem

I'm having trouble with my '46, 216, with a carter w-1 carb. It's hard to start unless it's already hot or warm. I put a vacuum gauge on it and it reads normal. When I screw in the idle adjustment needle all the way the engine doesn't die, it does stumble a bit but doesn't die like I'd expect. It'll start cold sometimes when I prime the carb with a little chainsaw gas. Also, I can't get it to idle down. I don't think there's a vacuum leak. Any help or suggestions appreciated. Jacques

Check your timing and dwell. Mine gets hard to start when it is off.

Float level ??

Worn throttle shafts ?

Fuel pump valves leaking fuel back ?

Basics ,, plugs and points ?

My distributor wobbles when the engine is running. Could that throw it off enough? It runs well once I get going, 4th on the floor. Dusty, I rebuilt the carb and the throttle shaft seems pretty tight to me. The bellcrank(?) on the end of the shaft is a little loose. It's got new pts, wires and condenser. Plugs look good, but you make me wonder about 'em. The old books I've got talk a lot about selecting the right plugs. Do you think that's something to look into such as a hotter plug? Thansk, Jacques

Sounds to me like you have a choke problem. You might check that out.

Carb related for sure. Its an old V8 tuning trick: If the engine is idling with choke off, and you close down your idle mixture screw it should die. If not she's running too rich or has another carb problem.

Check float level, accel pump shot, loose main jet, needle valve, etc.

good luck

chip

BTW, where is Jeanerette? I grew up in Hammond, me.

Thanks for the input, guys. Chiphead, what you said about the carb makes me wonder if the needle wasn't closing all the way with the engine not running, would it drain the fuel from the bowl. Maybe, then, it would take a while for the bowl to fill up again when trying to start after it's sat a while. BTW, Jeanerette is about 30 miles S of Lafayette, on Hwy 90. I've been to Hammond a few times in my "carefree" days...nice town! Thanks, Jacques

Thanks for all the input, guys. I think I've got the problem licked. I re-rebuilt the carb and that seems to have done it. I guess I was too much in a hurry the first time and didn't do it right. The float was set way too high, there was a blocked passage and more crud in the bowl. Also, the main nozzle that points up at about a 45 deg angle into the venturi wasn't put in right. The real test will be to see how easy it starts after sitting a day or two. Today it started easily and ran great. Thanks again, Jacques

Thanks for posting the end of the story. Lots of times we hear what the trouble is but never the solution...