when I start my car cold sometimes it will run for a few sec then shut off, if I start it again it will start right up. usually it only does this after it sat overnight. when I start it warm I have to crank it a long time to get it started but if it sits about 5-6 hours It will usually start right up. does anyone know what would cause this? my car is an 87 trans am 305 4bbl

 

Choke problems?

 

You may have the dreaded "well plug leak". On the bottom of the carb main body are drilled passages that have been plugged on the outside with lead plugs. The main circuits, which start below the main jets in the bottom of the fuel bowl, are two such culprits that will allow the fuel bowl to drain while the car sits. There is gas in the intake manifold which allows the engine to start initially, but then the fuel bowl doesn't have enough in it to keep it running. When you restart it, the fuel pump has gotten enough fuel into the bowl to keep it running after that.

Common fix is to remove the throttle body from the main body, clean & epoxy over the plugs. A search on this forum should show you pictures of it.

 

the car has a new edelbrock 1406 carb, so I dont think its leaking.
my car has an electric in tank pump and a mech pump on the engine, did these cars come stock this way? why is there two pumps?

 

They came stock with one or the other. It sounds like the previous owner had TBI or TPI and hated it and put the carb on top. Then the intank pump probably failed and they just put the mach pump on the engine.

 

No, 87's had an in-tank electric pusher and an engine-mounted mechanical.

 

I couldn't conclude the latter from reading the former.

Please provide permanent information up-front.

Now, what distributor does it have? Why was the stock carb replaced (downgraded)?

 

I changed the carb cause it had one of them computer controlled q jetts and I wanted it all mech. If I could do it again I wouldnt get an edelbrock. I have an HEI distributor.

what was the reason for 2 pumps?

 

Reason for dual fuel pumps: Preventing vapor lock.

What kind of HEI distributor? The stock one?

Replacing the carb on a stock engine is the worst expenditure of performance money possible. It's not even justifiable on modified engines. See sig if you don't believe me.

Well, chrome valve covers may be worse. . .

 

its a stock hei distributor out of a 79 chevy van with proform parts
Im guilty of that too