'64, difficulty restarting after initial use

[johnpaulny]

I'm new to this site. I recently acquired a '64 convertible, in very good condition, which I am able to drive every two weeks, on average. It cranks a bit when I first start it after sitting for a couple of weeks but pretty much starts right up. After driving and warming up, if I stop and shut the engine off, it is very difficult to start again and when it does it stalls and hesitates. Anyone have any ideas why this happens? Thanks.

[sseebart]

A couple of things spring to mind--heat soak at the carburetor, or vaporized fuel in the line or pump. If you are running an ethenol blend fuel and the fuel system has not been upgraded to handle it, you can get symptoms like this, too.

~Steve

[johnpaulny]

Thanks. I am using ethanol based fuel and in fact the mechanic told me the car will probably not "like" it. I bought a lead substitute, which I'm sure is a completely different issue. Where do you get non-ethanol fuel?

Thanks again for the advice.

[sseebart]

Some folks with show cars use aviation fuel, which is not a blend. For the rest of us, we have to revamp the fuel system. New rubber in the fuel lines, a new fuel pump and a carburetor with parts and seals designed to handle ethenol. I've also got a heat isolation plate under my carb, but I don't know that it's strictly necessary.

~Steve

[johnpaulny]

Thanks, Steve. I'll probably have to do the revamp.