The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '50 Chevy - Difficult to Restart?

My '50 Chevy with a transplanted 235 starts & runs perfectly...

However, if I make a stop and try to restart, it usually won't. If I let it sit for 5-10 minutes, it'll start right up.

Any thoughts on causation?

Note: I am not flooding it, and I don't the carb is vapor locked...hmmm

Thanks - Dickson

Does it crank fine but not start or is it slow to crank over?

It cranks fine, but just does not like to start when recently run...Strange. Thanks!

What size are your battery cables? Do you run 6V? If so you need the 00/0 size cables.....

When my 216 is warm and left for a few minutes, I put the gas pedal to the floor, hold it there for about a minute and then hit the starter, with the gas still to the floor. I find this works well.

Thanks Sweet & truckernix.

1. It is a 6V truck, so I'll upgrade to 2/0 cables
2. I'll try you're "hold it to the floor" trick next time.

Thanks! Dickson

I'll bet it's a carb issue...

I would also clean and tighten the connections at the starter switch, coil, distributor and ground strap.

Kurt

Sometimes they like to be cranked over a few revolutions to clear out a possible rich mixture, then a little tap of the gas. When the carb gets hot (sits for a few minutes), they will percolate fuel into the manifold sometimes. Just the charm of an old truck!

Years ago, we always thought it was the coil going bad. It might be something else, but you should probably consider it.

Thanks guys. No major disaster. At age 45 I'm just learning patience...so I'll just try to be patient and wait the extra 5 to 10 minutes she takes.

Like an old woman, she just wants me to know who's really in charge!

Mr. Lang has it correct. The carburetors will percolate after
you shut the engine down which floods the engine. Right after
you kill the motor or after they sit for 15 or 20 minutes they
usually start right up, but its that period inbetween that is
disappointing. And as Ken instructed, holding the throttle wide
open while cranking it will clear the access fuel.
Make sure there is an insulator between the carb and manifold,
it helps a little bit. Occasionally someone will replace the
carb with out the insulatore which adds to the problem.
Denny Graham
Somewhere north of Sandwich, IL

Still flumoxed...

Today a buddy and I replaced the coil, regapped the points, checked the firing order and timing, and confirmed spark.

Still, no fire. We are still just pouring a little gas into the carb to start her. Should work. Stumped! Dickson

If you have to prime it to start it, it is not flooded.
Are you sure the accelerator pump is squirting?