Our '78 pace car has exhibited hard starting (first start) since we've owned it.  Once started, your good to go for repeat starts. 

Pump it several times, attempt start, nothing, repeat multiple times till it eventually fires off. 
 
Our Corvette is driven maybe 750 to 1000 mi per year.  So it spends a lot of time in the garage.  Just to give the most recent history, last Tuesday had hoped to go to local cruise in.  It was very difficult to start.  It had set maybe two weeks.  Finally started and ran fine once started.  Then sat for about four days till yesterday.  NORMAL hard starting and then away you go. 

I don't smell or see gas, but I'm suspicious that the plugs on bottom of carb are leaking fuel out of carb.  Oh, the choke is working and in proper adjustment.

I'm thinking that the carb needs to be rebuilt with a service that will include epoxy covering on the bottom plugs.

I only know mechanical history on work that was done on the car just prior to our purchase.  The receipts do not show any carb work.

Thoughts?  

Experience with companies that offer rebuild service(s)?

Thanks
Gary
Franklin, IN

Yep I'd lean toward the Carb also, bad float, acelerator pump, and may be right about leaking. Any signs of fuel around base gasket?

Thanks guys!  Probably leaning toward a carb rebuild.  Also getting ready to have some exhaust work done.  Hope to get it done before South Central Corvette Club Indiana (SCCCI) show on 8/11 at Hubler Chevrolet in Greenwood, IN.

Right side exhaust sits even with bottom of fender.  Left side sticks down below fender at front of muffler.  So hope to have following done:

.  Both sides even with bottom of fender
.  Exh tips same distance below bottom of bumper
.  Both tips look same from rear
.  Nice mellow tone with new mufflers

Take care friends
Gary
Franklin, IN  

Have you checked fuel pressure and fuel filters to make sure they are ok .  

Another sunny/hot and humid afternoon in Southern Indiana.  Garage is quite warm even with floor A/C unit going.

Ok, back to the hard start problem!  Decided to replace the carb inlet fuel filter today.  I really don't know when it was last changed.  Anyway, got the new filter and was in process of putting it back together when I came upon a question - just sitting right there in the carb inlet. 

The carb inlet fitting has a thin gasket on the very end (carb end).  It did not have a gasket on the fitting to body joint just inboard of the hex.  I'm thinking that there should be a thicker gasket there.  I don't have any manuals or books that show that level of detail.

As it is:

fuel line from pump screws into carb inlet fitting - no gasket inboard of large hex - thin gasket at very inboard end of fitting

Am I missing a gasket? 

Oh, on the hard start issue - fired it up a couple nights ago with top of the air cleaner. Pumped it 3 or 4 times - saw choke close with first pump.  Still had to go through multiple pump/start attempts to finally get it going.  Probably cycled through five or six start attempts with maybe 5 pumps per attempt.   Once it starts you are good to go for later starts - like going to a show or the like.  I really don't know when the hard start would come into play, ie. next day, two days later, etc?

Thanks
Gary 

Just went through my bag of catalogs to see if I could learn anything about the inlet fitting.  The only catalog that gave a clue was from ZIP.  They list the following:

68-81      Fuel inlet fitting gasket, red fiber gasket

That sounds like what I'm thinking I'm missing. 

Back to parts store tomorrow.

Take care
Gary

Fuel inlet fitting on 78 Quad only takes nylon/plastic ring on very inboard end of fitting.  A fiber gasket is not used on the outboard end of the fitting where it screws in against the carb body. 

Only took two stops at parts store(s) with no success , a stop by the Chevy dealer, and finally getting the gasket at NAPA.

Take care
Gary

I dint see this until now....but now that you got it figured out....

The hard starting issue is most likely the plugs on the bottom of the carb, as you suspect. They will allow the fuel in the bowl to drain over a period of time. I usually take a SMALL hammer, and tap then in a little bit, then epoxy over them. You have to be careful to not get too much epoxy on them, as too much will keep the bottom throttle plate from bolting on flat...then you'll have another problem all together!

The thin "gasket" on the end of the fuel line inlet is just as you described...a small thin nylon ring. They do flatten out, and crack with age. I'm surprised you weren't able to get one at most parts places....I usually see them in the "Help" section. One trick I have learned, if you have a fitting that just won't seal completely, is you can use some thread, and wrap the thread around the threads of the fitting, and screw it in. That usually stops all leakage. Some folks use dental floss, even.

Thanks for the reply.  I have it back together, but haven't tried to start it and check for leaks.

Still thinking that I will have the carb rebuilt shortly.  I've learned of a couple shops in Indy that appear to have good reputation with Quadrajets. 

Take care - Gary