I have an extended crank all the time when I try to start my 1960 Belair. It has a 283 with a holley 4bbl, th350, original distributor with the points conversion deal from pertronix, all new tune-up stuff, new fuel pump, timing at four degrees advancedre, newer starter, etc. Any time I go to start the car, I get a long extended crank. It cranks over for about five solid seconds before it will fire. Hot or cold does not matter. Once it starts the car is fine and runs really well. I cannot figure this one out. Please help someone. Thank you.
Couple things come to mind. First, is it all flooded and blowing black smoke when it starts? Probably not but if it were that would indicate the carb is draining into the engine when you shut it off. Not very common on a holley 4bbl. Second, if it's not flooded when it fires up, are you pumping the shit out of it while it cranks, or avoiding throttle contact like it's fuel injected? Carbs need pumping, especially if your choke isn't hooked up. I only see the FNG label and don't know if you're 17 or 70. Sorry if that's an insultingly simple suggestion. Third, I'd almost bet you've got ignition issues. Recently troubleshot a rebuilt motor for a friend and discovered a mismatched timing tab & balancer combo that resulted in the timing light being off by about 40 degrees. Their description before bringing it to me? EXACTLY what you said. I didn't think it ran right personally but they did. So be REAL sure your timing is correct, and the vacuum advance or mechanical advance isn't hanging up. Then start looking at issues of spark strength after all mechanical relationships for spark timing are ruled out. A dialback light might be a helpful tool. good luck
I don't think my carb is loosing its prime. I forgot to mention that the carb is a new holley. It had this problem before I replaced the carb. It does not blow black smoke when I start it. And no I am not pumping the shit out of the carb to start it and I do know the difference between a fuel injected vehicle and a carbureted vehicle. Carbureted vehicles are all I have owned and drive. I have checked my timing and ignition and it seems ok, but I will go back today and recheck everything to make double certain it is ok and I didn't overlook anything. Probably did. The timing is at four degrees advanced and runs fantastic when started, just has an extended crank. Thanks guys.
If it's not an ignition problem, pump the shit out of it while cranking. That's how a lot of carbureted vehicles have to be started and will result in 5 second cranks if you don't. You're still not giving very good information for somebody seeking troubleshooting advice and I suspect that's why there's not a lot of response. Happy pumping. PS your timing light will lie if the inertia ring slipped on your balancer or some other wierd mechanical event to affect the mark's relationship. Scratch deeper than the surface when you verify the timing.
So I went out today and spent a good while working on my car trying to figure out this extended crank problem. I triple checked the timing, right on like I said. Carb, coil, distributor, etc., all good. I decided to check the starter wiring. I tested the wires going to the starter and long story short, found a break in the r-terminal wire half way up behind the distributor. I found it while I was tracing the wires and peeling back the electrical tape. Don't know how this happened, probably from the previous owner I guess. Anywho, fixed the wire and now starts right up. Thanks.
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