Hard to start

The '70 Fastback 351 Windsor is running awesome. One issue at this time though. The first "start up" of the day goes perfect. Set the electric choke, turn the key and it fires right up. After that, all subsequent start ups (when warm) need the accelerator pushed wot for it to fire. The motor turns about half a dozen revolutions before it fires up and then it stinks with exhaust for a minute or two. I want the thing to fire more easily.

Any ideas how I can make that happen? Electric fuel pump? Different fuel grade? Running mid grade now. Thanks for the input...dave

I had same problem with my larger engined Cougar. Pooped out one battery cable and went to larger diameter. Helped. Then took remainder off and increased size. The starter turned over quicker, and it fired off sooner.

I had the problem after running the freeway for 1/2 hour or more, or in downtown Palm Springs. My solution was to let engine turn over w/o touched the throttle pedal, then feed it in slowly, until it begins to cough and start up like when cold. Must be too rich when turned off still hot.



Wm.

Na, got it leaned out pretty well. 600 cfm edelbrock. Brand new. I thought maybe heat soak on the starter but the cranking of the motor is not an issue. Has plenty turn over juice when trying to fire it back up. Just doesn't wanna fire unless the peddle is to the floor. Vapor lock maybe?

Is the choke equiped with a heater tube to the exhaust manifold? if so. is it connected?
If not see if you can connect one.
Electric chokes lose heat very fast and when you let them sit for twenty minutes the choke closes again - even though the engine is still too warm to need the choke. When you hold the throttle to the floor you are forcing the choke open and it starts (once the fuel is cleared out)

Thanks Paul, as usual, I can always count on you for good advice! It's a brand new Edlebrock 600 cfm. The only connections with that model are a 12 volt lead for the choke, vacuum advance for the dist, fuel and the 3/8 " vacuum line which runs to the pcv and power disc drum. Nothing as far as a tube of any sort leading into the manifold. If I could hook a heater tube up, any idea as to how I would do that? thanks....dave

Another thing you might want to try is let it run and get warmed up and take off the air cleaner. have someone shut the car off and carefully (so that it doesnt back fire in your face) look down inside where the squirters are and see if theyre dripping a little bit of fuel. If so the float needles could be sticking. hit the float bowls generously with a screwdriver handle, but be sure not to break anything. the reason its hard to start is because the fuel drips down into the intake, making it rich, and so you have to open the throttle all the way to feed more air to the fire. i had the same problem with one of my holleys on my 351w.

Originally Posted by dwells

Thanks Paul, as usual, I can always count on you for good advice! It's a brand new Edlebrock 600 cfm. The only connections with that model are a 12 volt lead for the choke, vacuum advance for the dist, fuel and the 3/8 " vacuum line which runs to the pcv and power disc drum. Nothing as far as a tube of any sort leading into the manifold. If I could hook a heater tube up, any idea as to how I would do that? thanks....dave

dwells,
can't be done with the Edelbrock (AFB). You can set the choke leaner but make sure it closes for cold start. Play with it a bit and see what the leanest setting is that will give you reliable cold starts.
If your headers or head pipes run close to the starter you might want to put a heat shield between the two - the more clearance between the shield and the starter the better. I have seen starters get hot enough that they wouldn't start the car before but it doesn't happen often with Ford starters.

Paul's got you on the right path.

I suggest a slightly looser choke with a little taller fast-idle set screw when the choke is on.

This will allow more transition fuel to flow in while the choke flap is not closed as tightly, thereby giving you a more lenient choke flap when the car has sat for a while after running to temp.

FE

Originally Posted by dwells

Na, got it leaned out pretty well. 600 cfm edelbrock. Brand new. I thought maybe heat soak on the starter but the cranking of the motor is not an issue. Has plenty turn over juice when trying to fire it back up. Just doesn't wanna fire unless the peddle is to the floor. Vapor lock maybe?

Is this carb sitting on a stock iron intake and possibly the stock aluminum spacer with PCV connection?

Nope. It's got an Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum Intake manifold. No spacer just fresh gasket that came with the carb. Another frustrating deal is that just when I think I got it dialed in the timing seems to bounce. Then I'm back to driving a quarter mile, pulling over, turning the dist. one way or the other. Spark knock on the high end or sluggish on the low end.

I'll give those ideas mentioned a try. Thanks to everybody for all the help. I really enjoy this new hobby and this web site for all the help it gives this novice hot rodder!!