Takes forever to fire over

[broncnaz]

While the fitting for the fuel line on a 2100 is at the bottom of the bowl the needle seat is up high. So really its a non issue fuel will not drain back out of the carb.

Fuel will not drain back when the engine is running. Most likely your fuel pump was weak and not pumping at slow engine speeds.

 

[cclay]

I didn't notice that when I rebuilt the carb. So fuel goes up a casting in the housing to the top? Ok then. My apologies to the Ford crew.

I had a nice talk today with Paul from WildHorses about this and he told me of multiple instances where he's seen this and said fuel pump change was in a lot of cases the problem. So, to the original poster, give it a try and post your results please.

 

[deltarat]

Mine is hard to crank every morning. After the first cranking, it cranks right up. It has everything new in the fuel system, including a cleaned and POR sealed tank.

 

[broncnaz]

Mine is hard to crank every morning. After the first cranking, it cranks right up. It has everything new in the fuel system, including a cleaned and POR sealed tank.

Sometimes there is a "method" to the cold start. You just have to find it. Of course it could be tuning issues. timing, choke setting ect. or just a simple heat soak issue that is causing the fuel to evaporate over night.

 

[Tom Dummer]

I've had this issue for years. When it gets really bad I replace the fuel pump. This is now happening almost annually. Really pissing me off because it has always been a pain in the ass to replace. Even with a new pump it never really goes away.

 

[deltarat]

Is there any disadvantages to going to a electric fuel pump? If I turn it on for a few seconds to prime everything up and save the starter.

 

[cclay]

Update. With the new fuel pump installed and no stalling issues as I had before, after 2 days sitting the motor fired within 2 seconds. FWIW

 

[deltarat]

Update. With the new fuel pump installed and no stalling issues as I had before, after 2 days sitting the motor fired within 2 seconds. FWIW

That's good to hear, but a new pump didn't fix mine.

 

[DirtDonk]

Is there any disadvantages to going to a electric fuel pump? If I turn it on for a few seconds to prime everything up and save the starter.

Other than the extra wiring and the change in plumbing, I can't think of any disadvantages off-hand.
Well, unless you get a loud one or don't mount it properly and it sounds like a jackhammer is under your truck that is!

For pre-priming, you could add a momentary switch inline.
Should do the same thing though, by simply have it come on with the key in RUN and make sure you have a low oil pressure shutoff switch. Should have one anyway of course.

I suppose that even with your new mechanical pump though, it might be sub-par right out of the box. Not like we haven't had that problem for a few years now, so it's something to consider.
Maybe a quick "bucket test" of the new pump while cranking? You might find it's pretty weak at those lower cranking rpm ranges and simply not priming the carb fast enough after the fuel evaporates.
That's the classic sign of an old weak pump, but would be the same thing for a new weak pump. ;D

I should know by now deltarat, but what's the rest of your setup like? Carburetor type? Ignition? General setup?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Tom Dummer]

Same here. So Mine (MSD 6AL box, Quadrajet) when I haven't started it in a couple days, I turn it over and no matter what it wont start, BUT take the same timeframe, turn it over for about 3 revolutions, pump the pedal fully about 4 times and it almost immediately starts. If I begin by pumping the pedal, I get nothing until I stop turning it over, then pump, then turn it over again.
Donk, you're up... Load those posts over here. ;D

 

[cclay]

Same here. So Mine (MSD 6AL box, Quadrajet) when I haven't started it in a couple days, I turn it over and no matter what it wont start, BUT take the same timeframe, turn it over for about 3 revolutions, pump the pedal fully about 4 times and it almost immediately starts. If I begin by pumping the pedal, I get nothing until I stop turning it over, then pump, then turn it over again.
Donk, you're up... Load those posts over here. ;D

Why do you have a quadrajet on a ford motor?

 

[Tom Dummer]

I've ran the Holley POS, the Carter POS, and numerous others. The never stayed running and stalled out either when I launched or landed. I shitcanned them all and went to the Q. It's worked the best for a lot of years, I had to turn off the truck when I flopped it on its side, it was still running.

 

[DirtDonk]

Why do you have a quadrajet on a ford motor?

Actually, quite a few members here run Q-jets on their Broncos.
And not many of them (if any?) have had anything but good things to say about them too.
A lot of people mount them with the primaries in the back. It's been so long, I don't even remember why. Maybe puts the floats in a good place for certain acrobatics? Don't know.
Is yours mounted "backwards" too Tom?

Same here. So Mine (MSD 6AL box, Quadrajet) when I haven't started it in a couple days, I turn it over and no matter what it wont start, BUT take the same timeframe, turn it over for about 3 revolutions, pump the pedal fully about 4 times and it almost immediately starts.
If I begin by pumping the pedal, I get nothing until I stop turning it over, then pump, then turn it over again.
Donk, you're up... Load those posts over here. ;D

Hey, thanks for helping me pad my account!
What air cleaner do you run?
What distributor?
What pump? Pressure regulator too?

Just thinking that some Q's are known for quickly evaporating the bowl so the pump has to work quickly to get gas back into the carb. Wonder if you're just suffering from a weak pump too?

I suppose you could try putting a little gas into the float vents (but not the venturi) to see if it starts immediately when it's known to have sufficient fuel.
Or, you could verify the fuel simply by looking down the bore when you pump the gas. If you get the squirts (so to speak...) then you know that fuel evaporation is not really your issue and you just have another cold-start gremlin.

Worth a quick look-see to start with.

Paul

 

[dblupcobb]

Cold start issue solved! I bought a fuel pump with intentions of installing, but before i got to it, noticed a good bit of gas leaking from accelerator pump. Pulled housing and ac diaphram was shot. $5 part later and bam, first flick of the key, she's purring like the good ol days.

Fuel pump going back tmrw!

 

[cclay]

I can't seem to find the 'manage attachments' button but I was going to post a pic of my setup.

cobb, glad you found the problem but you might want to hold onto that pump. You'll prolly need it someday anyway. If you let it sit for 3 or 4 days, does it fire right up?

 

[dblupcobb]

I'll let you know in a couple days if it fires right up or back to drawing board.

Also, adjusted fuel pressure to 5.5 psi. Seems to run alot smoother.

 

[dblupcobb]

Well, I let it sit for a couple days and still had to pump pedal and crank for a while to get it to fire, so I guess that didn't solve all my issues. I ended up putting the new fuel pump on. We'll see in a couple days if that works.

 

[baddad457]

Is there any disadvantages to going to a electric fuel pump? If I turn it on for a few seconds to prime everything up and save the starter.

There are no disadvantages to running an electric. I've run two on my last two vehicles, the first an 89 V8 Ranger, I used a Purolator 30 gal/hr electric on it for the ten years it had the V8 (til I sold it) My 77 Comet has a Mr Gasket 35 gal/hr, it's been there for 6 years now. It's more than enough flow to feed 3- 2 bbl carbs at WOT on topend runs, quiet enough so that all you hear of it si when I turn the key "on" to prime the carbs before starting (it sits sometimes for a month between running it) Wiring is simple, one wire from the hot side of the coil to the pump, you can also route it thru an impact switch to kill the power in an accident. No regulator needed.

 

[deltarat]

There are no disadvantages to running an electric. I've run two on my last two vehicles, the first an 89 V8 Ranger, I used a Purolator 30 gal/hr electric on it for the ten years it had the V8 (til I sold it) My 77 Comet has a Mr Gasket 35 gal/hr, it's been there for 6 years now. It's more than enough flow to feed 3- 2 bbl carbs at WOT on topend runs, quiet enough so that all you hear of it si when I turn the key "on" to prime the carbs before starting (it sits sometimes for a month between running it) Wiring is simple, one wire from the hot side of the coil to the pump, you can also route it thru an impact switch to kill the power in an accident. No regulator needed.

I guess I need to try that. I have a new manual pump but, It still doesn't crank after it sits up.

 

[baddad457]

For a motor that sits for long periods, the electric is real starter & battery saver.