I have been having trouble getting the car to start the past few days. It will turn over, but takes a while to actually start and when it does, the idle is extremely low than it slowly rises. I have to pump the gas while turning the key until it starts then I let my foot of the pedal, it idles at about 5-600 RPM then slowly comes up to about 1500 RPM. Also, when I put the car into neutral when coming to a stop, the RPMs drop to about 500 RPM and then come up to the regular idle speed of about 950 RPM. It has actually stalled on me a couple of times. But, the car isn't difficult to start after its been running a while. Turn the key and it starts right up. I'm stumped. Need suggestions quick! Thanks.

 

Choke's not working?

 

Yup, sounds pretty normal for a carb car with a non-working choke.

 

the choke seems to be operating like its supposed to. Shuts all the way closed, opens ever so slightly when starting... I am beginning to wonder whether my ignition coil is going bad.

 

Ok, I have been checking out the carb the last few days and it looks like my choke IS my problem. I have gotten it so the initial start up is fine, but if I drive it and park it for a few min (going to the store or something) and go back to it, it will give me trouble starting.

The choke sets when its cold or has been sitting for a while, but if the engine is just slightly warm It will give me trouble starting it back up. How can I fix this? Is my choke shot?

 

I am also having trouble when I am in gear, and not giving the car gas. At low rpms, the car becomes very jerky and feels like its fighting with itself, and I am forced to push down the clutch. This is occuring at 1100-1400 RPM depending on which gear I am in. Is this a jetting problem, or a problem with my idle circuits?

 

A little off subject, but do you go to Virginia Tech. If so, look me up. I'm here in good old Blacksburg.

Not too sure about the starting problem. Does your choke heater work?


-Dave

 

You either have the choke closing to soon or not closing at early enough.

You say when it's slightly warm now, you have trouble starting it. Does it start BETTER when you give it fuel, or worse? If it wants fuel to start when warm, the choke is not closed enough when warm. Adjust the choke farther in the closed direction.

If it starts worse with fuel, try (next time) starting it in clear flood mode (pedal all the way to the ground). If it starts better, the choke is closing back up too soon and you need to adjust it farther to the open side.

Another way is to set the choke with the motor slightly warm (tap the pedal) and look under the hood. If the chokes completely closed, you've got it adjusted too far.

 

83 Midnite,
Do you have a manual or electric on that Holley? Manual (for me anyways) is easier. When I first start mine the choke is almost closed, fires right up I let it warm a bit then open up the choke a little more and when upon fully warm I open it all the way. I have a Holley 650dp.

 

I appreciate all of your help. It turns out it starts up much easier when the pedal is on the floor. So I think its just a matter of adjusting the choke. Unfortunately, on my way home yesterday, my T5 decides to die, and locks up on me at 90mph on the freeway. Was lucky not to hit anything, and I am hoping to get back on the road soon.

 

You did the same thing I did to my oldsmobile--got the choke set too tight, so it closes back up the minute the motor isn't running. Then when you try and start it, it floods... Twist the choke a smidge clockwise and try it again.

Sorry to hear about the T5. I had one go bang at 75mph on the highway, no fun.