My 75 has a little trouble waking up in the morning...and I really can't blame her. Once she's warmed up its ok, but until then all bets are off. I was paying so much attention when I started her today and gave it a lot of gas and immediatly let off when I realized I'd more than redlined her. Left her sit hood open for the rest of the day.....what's the chance I ruined something important?

Scot

It's hard to say. Did you hear anything wrong when she idled? The easiest thing to damage is the valve spring keepers/valves.

I'll check her out later on and post if she's idling rough or as normal...hope she's ok...I can't have more problems!

Scot

Scot,
This is what I would do.
Start it normally. Leave the choke on till the engine starts to warm up ( meaning you see the temp gauge start to move ) , then tap the gas petal and let off. The operative word there is tap ( not floor ). If the engine idols normally, run it up to about 2000 rpm. Again tap the gas ( not floor it ) up to maybe 3000 rpm and take your foot ( quickly ) off the petal. If it still idols and sounds ok, you are most likely allright. Of course if one of the mechanics ( like George ) tells you to do something else, do what he says. He actually gets paid to work on cars and therefore knows what he is talking about. ( well, that is supposed to be how it works ). Trust George he is ok.

I pretty much do what Glenns said myself. I really don't hit it until the temp is greater than 150. I just let it run idle for a while and tap it. Its a method that has worked pretty well for me so far, so I'll continue to do it even if it takes a little bit longer to get warm.

She's ok =) let her idle, sounded same as always and ran down the street like a champ. I dunno if she'll idle long enough to start up the way you were describing...seems to turn over and then falter fairly quickly when cold....is this a sign of a problem I'm too novice to recognize?

Scot

Scot,
Have you tried adjusting your automatic choke (assumeing you have one)? Our 79 was a hard starter and did not want to idle when cold. A simple choke adjustment cured the problem.
If you remove the air cleaner lid when the motor is cold and slowly depress and release your accelerator pedal, the choke butterfly in the carb (assumeing you have one of these also) should be fully closed. If not, back off the three screws that hold the black thermostat housing of the choke and slowly turn the housing to the left or right, whichever causes the butterfly to close completely. Re tighten the three screws, replace the air cleaner cover and turn the key to start. If this does not help, try checking your fuel filter to see if there is dirt or water present. If you have a vacuume guage, check your vacuume at the carb. You may also have a carb adjustment or timing out of whack. Good Luck!

Mike....woah dude....I know how to turn 'em on and drive 'em..learning the rest....do you have pictures of what you just described? I've heard of these things(and even know where my air filter is) but I'm a rookie! =) so send picts or really detailed descriptions to e-mail...thanx =) it seems to idle fine...just not for the first 30-60seconds.

Scot

Scot,
Mike's reply is VERY detailed and well described. I think if he sends you a pic or two you will be able to read the description and get the job done. Mike, have you thought of submitting that to the hints and tips section?

|QUOTE|Paragon75Ray said: Mike....woah dude....I know how to turn 'em on and drive 'em..learning the rest....do you have pictures of what you just described? I've heard of these things(and even know where my air filter is) but I'm a rookie! =) so send picts or really detailed descriptions to e-mail...thanx =) it seems to idle fine...just not for the first 30-60seconds.

Scot|/QUOTE|
Scot,

mike is right on with what he says. Being only 19 has put you in a group of people who have probably never had anything but Fuel injection. There is quite a difference. I bought my first car in 1959, it was a 57 Star Chief Pontiac, two Dr Hardtop. It ran pretty good for being a tank. Really it was a nice car. But I learned a lot about chokes, carbs, timing, dwell and a good portion of what is needed for these Sharks. Only 1 shark had F.I. The 82. I don't think the 68 had it. You could work on your own car then, It is a little different now. You need about $10,000 worth of tools to start, and then it gets more expensive.

|UPDATED|6/11/2002 11:12:38 PM|/UPDATED|