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Topic: 78 Starting issues

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78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/30/16 5:47pm Message 1 of 31
Former Member
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Scarborough, MA - USA
Joined: 5/30/2016
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 78 Corvette stingray
New to the Corvette world, so please take it easy on me.

Purchased a 78 Stingray, ran like a champ on the way home.

However, when it sits for a few hours is has trouble starting. Prev. owner stated if it ever gives me any issues starting, to pull out the manual choke on right of steering column.

Seemed to work here and there, but was worse today. Not knowing what to do, I assumed it was the battery and put in a new one. Still gave me an issue ( 4 attempts before it started ).

Guy at shop put a tested on it showing the battery and starter passed diag test.

Not sure what is going on, but still gives me issues starting after it has been sitting for a few hours.

Not sure if I should now have plugs, wires, fuel filter etc. changed now. Just don't want to keep buying this and that if it is not going to make a difference.

Hoping others have seen this and know what is going on with it.

Thank you in advance.








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Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/30/16 6:11pm Message 2 of 31
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
By trouble starting are you saying it doesn't turn over or it does but doesn't start?  Need more info.

If you have to use a manual choke, either it doesn't have the original Q-jet or the Q-jet is misadjusted  or needs an overhaul.





1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/30/16 6:21pm Message 3 of 31
Former Member
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Scarborough, MA - USA
Joined: 5/30/2016
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 78 Corvette stingray
won't turn over.

Sounds the same as if it were the battery, but if you make a few attempts it will sputter then fire up. 

If you let the gas go it will stall. I have to keep on the gas pedal a bit for a few mins for it to then stay on.

Acts like something could be clogged, or sparkplugs.
( just a guess on my end of course as I don't have the experience with this car at this point. )

Has other minor issues as well:

Speedometer not working

passenger light wont go down on it's own I have to do it manually
dome light
cig lighter

Those issues I think I can research and less important than my starting issue.



|UPDATED|5/30/2016 6:21:31 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/30/16 8:02pm Message 4 of 31
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1522
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.
When my 78 was hot it would have a starter solenoid problem.  Once cooled a little bit it would turn over.


   

Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/30/16 9:35pm Message 5 of 31
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day. 2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
  You will need to check all of the battery connections to the starter and the grounds.


1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/31/16 5:01am Message 6 of 31
Former Member
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Scarborough, MA - USA
Joined: 5/30/2016
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 78 Corvette stingray

RE: battery connections to the starter and the grounds.

Would this be the case after they placed a tester on the battery showing the battery and starter passed? .


When it finally dose start after 4-5 attempts, I need to keep my foot on the gas for a few mins. or it will stall out. Once it gets going, it is USUALLY good for the day.

Only acts up when it has been off for a few overs like overnight.


|UPDATED|5/31/2016 5:01:58 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/31/16 7:05am Message 7 of 31
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Brookline, NH - USA
Joined: 5/2/2014
Posts: 46
Vette(s): 1976 corvette L82 red interior with white seats and door panels with ceramic headers and flow master exhaust and a Crane Cam
before you try anything else for a cold start try putting the gas pedal to floor and then releasing and maybe a 2nd time then try cranking it over !! sounds like a choke problem with the carb but if that doesn't work it might be time to rebuild the carb or make sure choke is adjusted properly


There's nothing better in life then a Vette Smile
 
 
 

Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/31/16 7:58am Message 8 of 31
Former Member
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Scarborough, MA - USA
Joined: 5/30/2016
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 78 Corvette stingray
Turns over just won't fire up. AAA coming over to pick her up and take to Sears auto Hope then know enough to figure it out. When I give it gas via pulling the fuel ( pumping it in ) It attempts to start then right back to just the turning over noise With no results.


Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/31/16 9:32am Message 9 of 31
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Brentwood, CA - USA
Joined: 4/15/2016
Posts: 21
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette project car
Sure sounds like a choke/carburetor issue to me.....I am not sure that a Sears tech would have the necessary chops to diagnose it. Where are you located?




Re: 78 Starting issues

Posted: 5/31/16 9:35am Message 10 of 31
Former Member
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Scarborough, MA - USA
Joined: 5/30/2016
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 78 Corvette stingray
Maine


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