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Technical Hard to start...

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Roadsrunner, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. Roadsrunner
    Joined: Jan 7, 2017
    Posts: 12

    Roadsrunner

    My 1934 Plymouth is hard to start if not run on consecutive days. I use an aerosol starting fluid but it will take five or six cranks before ignition. Once it is running the problem does not re-occur, unless like I said it's not run the next day. It seems like it's not getting sufficient gas until the engine warms up - then it runs fine and will re-start without issue. Would an electric fuel pump solve the problem? I do have some safety concerns about electric fuel pumps. Any input would be greatly appreciated...

    the Roadsrunner
     
  2. DOCTOR SATAN
    Joined: Mar 21, 2014
    Posts: 703

    DOCTOR SATAN
    Member
    from okc

    Probably leaks air at hose clamps and loses prime
     
  3. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,412

    southcross2631
    Member

    Be careful with over use of starting fluid. Very hard on motors when you use too much. Saw a guy blow the oil pan to about twice its normal size on a Ford truck when I worked for the park service.
    A properly installed electric fuel pump is not anymore dangerous than a mechanical. Try and find a modern car with a mechanical fuel pump. Can't be too unsafe.
    What carb do you have ? sounds like your carb is leaking and losing the fuel in the fuel bowl and draining into the motor.
     
  4. Lost in the Fifties
    Joined: Feb 25, 2010
    Posts: 466

    Lost in the Fifties
    Member

    Agree that it sounds like fuel bowl is leaking or your accelerator pump isn't working. I've had leather pumps that I had to prime carb. first start every day but would start afterwards. Changed the pump and solved my problem. Hope it's that simple and easy for you!
     
  5. upspirate
    Joined: Apr 15, 2012
    Posts: 2,303

    upspirate
    Member

    I had an Edlebrock carb that would evaporate fuel in a week. If you didn't start it every couple of days, you would have to either crank starter till it filled up with gas, or take hood & air cleaner off to "prime" it with some fuel in the carb throat
     
  6. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 34,098

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    post pics of what you are working on
     
  7. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 8,509

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    The flex hose from the fuel line to the pump started ****ing air with high mileage, old age, or hot weather. Shops & gas stations had wall racks of them to service most cars & trucks.
     
  8. LowKat
    Joined: Nov 29, 2005
    Posts: 10,016

    LowKat
    Member

    Starting fluid is the devil. You're better off priming the carb.

    I run a "pull-thru" electric fuel pump back near the tank on old cars that aren't run all the time. Use the pump to prime the car then start. Otherwise the electric pump is switched off and is having gas "pulled-thru" it by the factory manual fuel pump.
     
    olscrounger likes this.
  9. TTTT8
    Joined: Jun 2, 2011
    Posts: 61

    TTTT8
    Member

    UPSPIRATE is right. Living in Arizona (read low humidity and high heat), both cars, Edelbrock equipped, would not start after sitting a couple weeks. Had to prime them. When I switched one car over to a Holley, this issue went away. I do not mean to say that Edelbrock makes **** parts, but this is an issue I find several Arizonians experience. Otherwise, their carbs are fine. Just sayin'...
     
    upspirate likes this.
  10. junkyardjeff
    Joined: Jul 23, 2005
    Posts: 8,703

    junkyardjeff
    Member

    Just crank it over until the oil gauge starts moving before hitting the gas and you should be fine,that is what I had to do with my 55 sunliner when it had the original carb when it sat for over a week.
     
  11. Montana1
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 2,141

    Montana1
    Member

    You didn't mention what carb you're running...
     
  12. Roadsrunner
    Joined: Jan 7, 2017
    Posts: 12

    Roadsrunner

    It is tri-power and I was told the carbs are Stromberg 94's but the carbs are stamped "Ford" so I am thinking they are Holleys...
    Thanks to all who took the time to reply,
    the Roadsrunner
     
  13. Montana1
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 2,141

    Montana1
    Member

    Ok, can you give us some detailed pictures...
     
  14. This is such a common problem.
    Here's the thing, it will not happen unless it sits & it sits in your garage. So your always at home when it doesn't start. A fuel prime bottle on the shelf is all you need.
    image.jpeg
    Pop the air cleaner, a little squirt and she's running. It's always just and only where you leave it sit, right next to your fuel bottle.

    Or add a electric fuel pump and then a pressure regulator and an extra circuit and a relay and a fuel pump stop switch wired into the oil pressure and ,,,,,,,,,,,
     
    upspirate likes this.
  15. Montana1
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 2,141

    Montana1
    Member

    You mean like this???

    It's a hot rod, NOT a AA/FA. :rolleyes:
     
  16. That's too much fuel but if you're gonna do that you need to make really big motor noises.
     
  17. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    My F100 always started immediately with my Holley 650 double pumper, NO CHOKE. It could sit 2 weeks, start right up. (less than 1 revolution, it made me money!)
    I switched to a new Edel 600, electric choke. Amazing how nice and smooth it ran, and how gutless my truck now was.
    A week of driving my '66 VW and I tried starting the truck...Cranked it more than a few times, finally started. Every hose and fitting perfect. ******* sits 3 days, electric pump and all...Crank it and crank it some more.
    Holley's gonna get rebuilt and go back on there. (after I do some monkeying around with metering rods and jets, of course...Sure hope it cures the lo-performance problem!):confused:
     
    upspirate likes this.
  18. Roadsrunner
    Joined: Jan 7, 2017
    Posts: 12

    Roadsrunner

    Thanks for the tip. Would never have thought starting fluid would do damage...
    the Roadsrunner
     
  19. Roadsrunner
    Joined: Jan 7, 2017
    Posts: 12

    Roadsrunner

    Hi,

    Do you use 100% methanol or 50%?
    Thanks...
     
  20. Gasoline,
    the bottle and spout was a visual aid.
    Ignore the lettering or create your own
     
  21. Roadsrunner
    Joined: Jan 7, 2017
    Posts: 12

    Roadsrunner

    Thank you for your help...
     

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