Third Gen!

I have a problem with my GM Crate engine (383 Stroker). When I start my car up on these cold days (like the one today) it'll fire up and then shut-down in about 20 seconds. I've noticed this to when it drops from 2,000 RPMs to a low 1,000 -- like, it just doesn't give me power.

The engine won't start again after that for a good minute or three.

Could it be the cold weather? I haven't switch my anti-freeze this winter - perhaps it's has something to do with my carb? Or, just maybe, it's time for some new spark plugs? I've adjusted the timing ... that's not it.

Any ideas would be appreciated plus, I know ThirdGen has seen & fixed every problem possible known to mankind. If you need some pictures let me know - thanks again.

**UPDATE: Noticed a missing bolt? Car wouldn't start neither.

 

O, one more thing - it diesels from time to time when I shut my engine off. I've noticed more that I need to put the car in Neutral or Reverse and let is idle for a few seconds to prevent this.

 

That's not a missing bolt, it's a pipe plug.

Does your choke work?

 

I don't understand your question. .

I can see the springs near the carb moving back & forth when I press the peddle in.

 

Take the air cleaner off, look at the square boxy thing with the plate inside towards the front of the top. Is the plate open or closed? If it's open, move the throttle arm by hand. Does the plate close now?

 

Be right back - going to try this now.

I flew outside, took the air filter off and did a quick inspection.

*looks at pictures*

The plate was closed when I took the filter off, it appeared to slide open (decent lube)
It wasn't stuck - I s'pose the plate should be closed "normally"?

 

The plate should be closed when the engine is cold and opens as the engine warms up.

 

Thanks for the great advice - I learned something new today. I guess I'll go try to press the peddle in like 10 times and see if this makes it fire up. Maybe the battery needs a charge?

Thanks again, any other ideas - I'm all ears (I've got big ears too)


LOL

 

Pumping the pedal excessively doesn't do anything except make it hard to start and wash the oil off the cylinder walls with gas. One pump to set the choke is almost always enough. Maybe two in very cold weather.

 

Hey Apeiron,

I just pressed the peddle like 15 times before I went to start (and prolly another 15 times while I was turning the engine).

How long do you s'pose it may take for the gas to get off the cyclinder walls? Like 10 minutes? Does the cold weather make it harder for you recover from a flooded engine?

 

Hold the pedal to the floor while you crank to clear a flooded engine, but be ready to let it up as soon as it starts to fire.

 

Thanks for the tip - I'll add that to my memory bank.

No luck still...

-_-

 

Well - I had come up with a real good diagnose. My buddy who helped build the car was saying the Fuel Pump most likely burned out. Your thoughts?

I s'pose a new pump is around 100 smackers but a few hours of labor?

Plus, the car is stuck in my driveway...does this sound right?

 

What kind of pump is it?

 

LOL

My best guesstimate is an electric pump. What is the best way to find out?

 

Best way is to ask whoever installed it.

 

There is an electric fuel pump (as opposed to a mechanical)

what now? Snag a new stock pump for $80 beans and that'll do the job for my 383 Stroker?

 

In-tank stock electric pump, or aftermarket external electric pump? Either way I'd test it first before just changing it.

 

Car is equipped with an in-take stock electric pump. I have a mini-fuel pump gauge that displays 0 lbs of pressure. I forgot to mention that to you Apeiron.

 

Hey ApeIron - The results are back and it turned out to be the relay switch for the Fuel Pump! I couldn't be more grateful for the time and effort saved.

Cheers!

 

Does that look like an EFI motor to you? Holding the pedal to the floor will be dripping fuel out of the boosters non stop and causing a lot of fuel to be dropped into the cylinders.

 

It was a weird idea no doubt, but everything is worth a try -_-

Hey xpndbl3 - what is a good water pressure level for a 383 stroker?

 

Have you ever heard of something called a choke unloader?

Didn`t think so.

Go watch what happens to the choke plate when you go to WOT while it`s closed.

 

Water pressure?

 

well i had thesame problem this winter with my car i have a 361 in my camaro and i changed my anti freeze tuned my choke but what is going on is motor is flooding you wanna run it more to the lean side after idid that it fires up at -13 first tap of the key it should work

 

I have this gauge (below the oil pressure) and it's for water temperature

Error on my end. It's running right now @ 150, what does your 383 strokey run at?

 

Anything that doesn't have it boiling out of the cap is fine. Ideally it should be close to the rated temperature of the thermostat.

 

Operating temperature vs power and longevity
http://www.carnut.com/ramblin/_cool3.html

 

Thanks buddy - I appreciate the quick link. I'll be sure to fine-tune the fluid in my car with some royal purple.

 

if its any help or not, some may argue but this is my 2 cents. Every carb car iv'e owned ( maybe 8 ) i found out the easiest way to get it fired up on the cold days was gradually push the gas pedal down to the floor, then hold for 2 seconds. My car would fire up everytime. Now if you asked if it was electric chocke or not, i couldnt tell you, prob wasnt though.

 

Thanks for the open tip and positive advice. With this cold weather I'm always game for new ideas, and I'll be sure to give your idea a try tomorrow morning...

Question - How often do you replace your carb's air filter (not the one attached to the headers)?

 

Only way I am happy is if I have a full manual choke, what that means is the **** on the dash directly control the flap on top, not run through the stock linkage. A direct connect like ya found on old cars. Works the best for me.

pump pump pump pump, pull choke all the way out and crank, then be real quick or one hand on the key one on the choke **** as if you adjust it quick, it will be a 1 crank start up. I then get the rpms up to 2000 and play with the **** till it runs the best. Then head back into the house if I want some heat before I get to where Im going

I hate any type of automatic or semi automatic choke that is run through the funky linkage on the side of the carb. Ill wire the choke open first.

 

@Gumby - That sounds official dude. If I'm not mistaken the 68 Camaro had a **** similar to what your describing integrated into the "wooden styled" dash to the left of the steering wheel....

Just talking about it though the only "negative" effect I notice would be loss of gas - but really, is that a big problem living in the Greatest Country in the World (or a problem for that matter)?

A full manual choke is 100% pro too because the driver always have complete control.

 

regular paper filters, general rule is you hold them up to the sun, if light doesn't shine through easy, air wont flow well either.


In the winter I used a stock type enclosed unit with a paper filter, in the summer I run a double stacked open foam element.