Topic: COLD STARTS
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I have a 78 with 89,000 miles. What is the best way to start the car after it sits 2 or 3 days? My manual recommends depressing the gas pedal several times or holding it to the floor then releasing it halfway before starting. Neither method seem to get a first start. It sometimes takes me a good 10 minutes before I get it to turn over.Once started it runs fine. I don't want to wear out the starter. It is electronic ignition .
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Hi have a 1980 vette with a 350 ci
when I start the vette after several days of sitting in the garage I press the gas pedal 5 to 6 time I start and keep pressing until it start running.
Or you could install a electric gas pump that will help you to start much faster.
Normand
when I start the vette after several days of sitting in the garage I press the gas pedal 5 to 6 time I start and keep pressing until it start running.
Or you could install a electric gas pump that will help you to start much faster.
Normand
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NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - USA
Joined: 3/3/2003
Posts: 90
Vette(s): 1975 Coupe NOM 350: Edelbrock 64cc heads, QJet clone, Performer manifold & cam, gear drive and water pump; MSD ProBillet dist and 6A box, Comp rollers, Hedman headers into true duals, Magnaflow cans,TH400 w/shift kit, TT2's, 3.70RA, hi-rise hood
My 75 w/Edelbrock QJet clone and electric choke needed everything you guys talked about ... until I just did the basics, and now one (count'em - one) press to the floor, release, crank and light-off. And that was sitting cold-iron in subfreezing temps for a week at a time or more over the winter. The basics: set the choke for a sufficiently rich starting mixture, and ensure that all related linkages (fast idle cam in particular) are not fouled and binding. I give those links a good shot of Deep Creep about twice a month.
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18384
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
Almost everytime I start my cold 79, I push the gas pedal down slowly twice, then hold it to the floor while starting it. Sometimes, I have to pump it a few times while it is cranking, but it will start within 5 seconds.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Jed, I'm going to have to give it a try on mine. I have similar problems like everyone else. After she sits for a few days I have to pump 4-5 times and crank about 10sec. I was beginning to think that maybe the carb bowl had a problem leaking the fuel out while she was sitting, but it sounds like it is a common problem here.
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
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NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - USA
Joined: 3/3/2003
Posts: 90
Vette(s): 1975 Coupe NOM 350: Edelbrock 64cc heads, QJet clone, Performer manifold & cam, gear drive and water pump; MSD ProBillet dist and 6A box, Comp rollers, Hedman headers into true duals, Magnaflow cans,TH400 w/shift kit, TT2's, 3.70RA, hi-rise hood
After changing everything north of the pistons and downstream of the fuel tank (incl fuel pump) for performance reasons, I was amazed that I still had the same starting issues I had with stock equipment. That's when I focused on the Q-jet linkages --- same design from M4MC to Edelbrock clone. Same vulnerability to fouling and sticking, too.
Evaporation of the "starting shot" stored in the carb will always cause longer crank times after extended cold iron periods. Strong battery and starter make the "foot feed boogie" unnecessary; less soot, too.
Evaporation of the "starting shot" stored in the carb will always cause longer crank times after extended cold iron periods. Strong battery and starter make the "foot feed boogie" unnecessary; less soot, too.
Mine usually starts much better on the second try. I pump the gas a couple of times, hit the key. If it doesn't start right away I give it a couple more pumps and hit the key again. It starts very quickly the second time. If I keep it cranking on the first try, it takes forever.
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BRADENTON, FL - USA
Joined: 8/4/2002
Posts: 669
Vette(s): 1972 convertible 350 auto trans, delux int, air, ps, pb, t/t wheel, pw, 79,000 org miles Rare one year only color
Cold starts ??????????? 
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If you are running a rochester carb, it may be as simple as changing the filter in the carb. (behind the big nut where the fuel line is connected) In the late 70's the rochester was famous for allowing all the fuel in the carb to leak back down to the tank, even just overnight. Rochester came up with a simple solution, they made a filter with a check valve in it that stops the backflow of fuel from the carb. I had a 79 pickup with a 454 that took forever to start. A freind told me to get the new filter and all my starting trouble was gone. You can get the filter at your NAPA store. Just tell them you need the one with the check valve built in.
Hope this helps, Mark
Hope this helps, Mark
Garry - 
The rest - I've got a Holley carb on "The Toy" and have the same problems with starting after it has sat for a few days. The 'right foot boogie' before turning the key usually does the trick. Wonder if an in-line fuel filter would have that same check valve setup?
The rest - I've got a Holley carb on "The Toy" and have the same problems with starting after it has sat for a few days. The 'right foot boogie' before turning the key usually does the trick. Wonder if an in-line fuel filter would have that same check valve setup?
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
in Forum: C3 Engines
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