My car has very recently developed a bit of a problem starting... So far she's always started but lately it's just taken many many attempts... The car is my 51 Chevy Styleline Deluxe. She's completely stock at the moment with the straight 6 engine (216) The carb has the optional autochoke, but other than that there's nothing else special with the engine. . A couple of months ago I wasn't getting fuel to the carb and a replacement of the fuel pump, fuel lines and in-line filters did the trick. Here's what's going on now... I've got plenty of battery and when I try to start the car the ignition is strong. I give it gas and I hold down the pedal. I've also tried pumping the pedal although the owners manual says not to (it doesn't make any difference anyway). Usually on about the third try it tries to catch unsuccessfully and then on about the 7-8th try it finally goes. It seems like the number of attempts gets longer but it does eventually fire. Once it does go, there's a major gas smell that exists strongly initially but eventually fades as I drive. What do you think is causing this? It seems to get worse, not better. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
Check and see if the carb is actually pumping gas. If the accelerator pump died it might not catch until it has been turned over enough to pull some fuel out. Just hold open the choke and look to see a stream shooting in. If it is shooting in, I'd start looking at the ignition. Maybe the timing slipped?
how many times do you pump the throttle? sounds like you are fouling the plugs... could be the coil going bad? 1 or 2 hits on the throttle before starting should be plenty... thats if you dont have a choke or its open all the way... the gas smell, iam assuming is from the fuel being dumped trying to start the car... when it finally starts, all that fuel is getting burned, or not burned in this case... i havent tested it yet, but im installing a pertronix HEI conversion kit... it retains the stock look, but eliminates the points... think its $150 for the setup... me thinks that should give you more spark on startup. just speculating at this point
When you replaced the pump , lines, filter, did you clean ot the tank? Could have just washed a new crop of crud into the rest of the system. As above, make sure the carb is getting gas.
[ QUOTE ] As above, make sure the carb is getting gas. [/ QUOTE ] she says there is a heavy gas smell... youd think if the carb wasnt getting fuel, there wouldnt be a strong scent??
Yeah I missed that part about the gas smell too. Well hell. If there's gas then it's probably ignition like plan9 said. Is it 6v? Personally I'd check timing. You said the ignition is strong, so I assume you mean it is firing at the plugs and all. With an ohm meter you can check the coil. Resistance between the + and - should be less than 2 ohms and between the - terminal and the coil wire terminal 8k-20k ohms. this is for a 12v coil...not sure what it is for a 6v. But it should be a similar ratio.
Check your point gap. Should be .022 (plugs = .035) Lotsa times the plastic rubbing blocks wear down pretty fast and points that are too close on the gap act very much like a carburetor problem. Next set of points, get the ones with a fiber rubbing block - they last a lot longer - and while you're at the store, get a tube of Silicon points lube. A $3.00 tube is a lifetime supply for most of us. Toss the grease in the capsule and use the silicon - sparingly. You probably know this, but here it is anyway - when you gap the points make sure the feeler gauge is dry and free of oil.
Besides the above stated possible problems, I'd also think it may be possible the automatic choke may be the culprit. The choke adjustment may be set to rich & be choking the engine off too much. The recent warmer weather, when less choking is needed, may be making the problem worse. When you say you have the strong odor of gas when starting makes me think this may be the problem. If you have an assistant to help you, you can check the situation out. When the engine is cold take the air cleaner off & look at the choke butterfly at the top of the carb It may be open or closed but it should be open & when you hit the throttle it should close, but not completely. there has to be room for some air to be able to get past the butterfly. now try to star the engine. If it dosent start quickly have your assistant hold the choke butterfly halfway open & try to start again. If it starts now your choke is out of adjustment. You can adjust it by LOOSENING (don't remove) the 3 small screws on the side of the choke pulloff. It's the round black plastic thing at the top of the carb. It's marked with arrows for richer & leaner. You'll loosen the 3 screws & pull the black piece out enough to clear the little "teeth" and turn it about an 1/8th of a tun towards LEAN, snug the screws up & try to start again. It may take a few trys to get it just right but I'm sure you'll figure it out. I hope these instructions help. Billy
how about the weather has it been really cold latly .when its cold my 50 takes a while to fire ,when its hot it fires like 1 st or second try.kyle
I think shoebox is in the area.. I would also add that if the car has been flooded enough times I would also replace the plugs...check the points...if the points are worn or the rubbing block it will also change the timing....the other thing I would consider at this time is a general observation of the tune up wires, cap, if the ignition is needing a tune up it could also account for hard starting and cause flooding,,fatchuk
Thanks a lot guys! Now I've got lots of stuff to try. My experience with car engines is VERY minimal and so even the most basic stuff isn't obvious to me, YET. I had a hunch that the auto-choke may have a role in this but I wasn't sure. I'll check that as well. I'll let everyone know what the culprit was once she's back to normal! Stacey
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