Start procedure...Etc
The normal procedure is to set choke. Then crank the engine over; It catches and goes onto fast idle nicely.
After 48 hrs, you push pedal to floor(set the choke) and start cranking. After a few cranks...... nothing. Pump the gas pedal 5-6 times start cranking....... nothing. Crank 10 times....nothing. Pump gas pedal 5-6 times nothing. Crank 10 times....nothing.
After about 100 cranks( once it gets fuel) it starts up normal and goes onto fast idle. This of course is very hard on the battery. With the low output of the generator you have to run it ( at speed) for half hour to make up the draw on the battery.
If we start the car every day it starts on the first crank.
I tested it in this manner. After 48 hrs, when I now know it will take many many cranks to start, I pulled the air cleaner and put a few ounces fresh gas down the carburetor. The engine started on the first crank.
So my diagnosis thus far says that after 2 days the gas evaporates and/or drains back or a combination thereof. I noticed a small gas leak near the center front of the gas tank, where there is a couple drips on smoothe concrete.
The ignition is new all the way through and it checks great on the timing light including the advance function. It runs strong otherwise than the hard starting.
We havent done any carb work since we owned the car nor do we have any receipts from the previous owner. ( although we have receipts on everything else as it was well kept). But the carb seems fine during normal operation and it reads good on the pipe color and plug reading if you run it full and get it warmed up.
I am imagining air is getting in the gas line at some point after the first 24 hours. and the air leak lets the fuel run back all the way back to the tank. It behaves just like when you run out of gas bone-dry. you think the car isnt going to start;but when the battery is just about run down, it finally gets fuel and catches.
This is my wifes car. I would just prime it down the carb myself rather than run the battery down...until we figure a better solution. But I dont like her messing with it like that too much as it could be dangerous. My short term proposal at this time is to put on an electric pump somewhere, back near the tank??? With a small under-dash switch, so she can prime the carb with it prior to starting.
That is about all I can think to tell you. The syptoms and my thoughts. Thanks for sharing any similar experiences , suggestions , fixes etc
Thanks Frankie
