starting problems...

[tonyk72]

I'm having some problems starting her up, just every now and then, doesn't matter if its hot or cold. I'm sure part of the reason is bad gas...previous owner didn't stabilize the fuel & its been about 4 months since any new gas gone into the tank. I figure there might be some gum/varnish buildup. I got some Gumout® Regane® Complete Fuel System Cleaner hoping that will help. Anybody ever use this product?

I will also go ahead and change the fuel filters. I've seen paper and bronze filters. Any reasons as to which is better and why? The bronze cost an extra .25, so I'm assuming it's better. But I'm on a tight budget and don't wanna overspend :Silly

Plug wires are brand new, plugs are OK, but I got new ones that will be going in this weekend. AC Delco R44T

Battery tested OK, although it seems to drain fast after a few failed staring attempts. It's some generic Lastacell w/ 650 cca.

I'm also still having problems with a gas leak, I now discovered that there are two small oily gas pools on the left and right side of the intake manifold. They appeared after my failed starting attempts...I tightened up the bolts mouting the carb to the intake, but I guess I must have overtightened...
I think I'll get a new gasket and then torque to spec. I've seen carb gaskets at Doc Rebuild for $20 described as THICK and with one big opening. Zip has 'em for $5, but they have 3 openings...any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[offshore]

your hard starting and gas leak are probable related it sounds like it might be flooding.Check the choke for proper opp. check to see if the float is stuck or bad needle valve & seat. I dont know what kind of carb. & intake you have but if it's stock neither of those gaskets are correct. And as for your gas it wont go bad in for months.

 

[SwaveDave]

I think the best fuel tank additive for cleaning out the fuel lines, carb, etc...RedLines Fuel System Cleaner for about $5. at Pep Boys. Incredible stuff. Works really good with fuel injectors too.

Sams Club and Walmart have a 1,000 CCA battery for $60 . It will fit in the battery bin behind the seat. Just got one. Powerful.

Let us know what the carb problem was.

Good luck,Dave

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-for sure you need to replace battery...

-could also well be your lame battery or terminals, --was having a similar problem with the '78/Vette engine in my '66/Chevy-van (which battery was acting just like yours as to holding a charge) and thus won't send enough amps/volts to light the fire as starter is taking all it can get; --so swapped-in a decent 850-cca(cold cranking amps flow), and "blam" she now starts instantly, -hot or cold! Try swaping-in one from another car first to prove a point; --then if still problematical, remember to also check the usually bronze-filter staged just within your Rochester-carb. (you might reverse blow-out the filter with an air-hose nozzle), --and preferably use a line-wrench on the entering fuel-line hexnut very gingerly so as to not louse-up the fragile cast/screw-threads within the carb.-housing (parts-stores commonly sell a retro-fitting made just for Rochesters that nicely fixes the easily stripped-out screw-threads)... ~Bob vH

 

[tonyk72]

well, I yanked the battery to find the positive terminal in this shape...I figure this might have contributed to lack of juice flowing...maybe?
Thanks for all the tips guys, btw my carbs a Holley 4150...

 

[offshore]

well, I yanked the battery to find the positive terminal in this shape...I figure this might have contributed to lack of juice flowing...maybe?
Thanks for all the tips guys, btw my carbs a Holley 4150...

what does the batt. have to do with your fule leak? You never said anything about a slow crank problem!

 

[tonyk72]

by "juice" I meant power...I was thinking the weak battery had something to do with the hard starts...
At the beginning of my post, I listed a bunch of stuff that I think may be the cause of my hard starts...
I'm far from a mechanic, so I just listed everything everything and anything that could be the cause...

anyways, I replaced the cracked terminal and had my batt. fully charged...she started right up...
I'll see what happens over the next couple days...
I'm going to check out the carb in more detail with the items you mentioned...

 

[MidShark]

tony
Be careful not to over tighten carb to the manifold. Baseplates on Holleys can crack! I use the thick gasket myself, I think it is better as far as heat transfer is concerned.

Dick