Hard First Start

[Mike42p]

Hello all. 302 - Carb - What can I look for with a hard first start? If I don’t get to drive the truck for a few weeks the initial first start takes forever to start? Several times on the key of 5-10 seconds at least.

Once started - it’s first pull for every start after if even within a few days or even a week.

Any ideas?? Why just on that first start?

 

[Beau Nugget]

The gas is probably evaporating out of the carburetor when there’s that much time between starts. When you go to start it, it has to pump gas up to where it can get into the engine again. I have a 67 Firebird that when it doesn’t get started for a while, it’s like trying to stomp out a grass fire with the throttle before it’ll start.

The way it was explained to me is that modern gasoline is much more prone to evaporating out of the carburetor than it was when these Broncos (or muscle cars) were new

 

[.94 OR]

When mine was still carbed, I repurposed a contact lens saline bottle to fill with gas. Pop the air filter off and fill the float bowl through the vent tube, reinstall the filter and the thing would fire up like normal. Saved a lot of cranking on the starter.

 

[Mike42p]

When mine was still carbed, I repurposed a contact lens saline bottle to fill with gas. Pop the air filter off and fill the float bowl through the vent tube, reinstall the filter and the thing would fire up like normal. Saved a lot of cranking on the starter.

That sounds like a good start I suppose. Glad to hear it isn’t just me.

 

[mrdrnac]

You could also keep some aerosol Starting Fluid on hand to give a quick spray to the air cleaner intake for those hard starts after sitting. Just a small spray should get the engine to fire and then the fuel pump will fill the float bowl and keep the engine running. I use it on mine after its been sitting for several weeks.

 

[Bajabrewer]

Electric fuel pump will solve that problem - turn the key/pump on for a few seconds & let the carb fill then hit the key & it'll fire up. I had that issue & vapor lock on hot days - Electric pump took care of both problems.

 

[Mike42p]

Electric fuel pump will solve that problem - turn the key/pump on for a few seconds & let the carb fill then hit the key & it'll fire up. I had that issue & vapor lock on hot days - Electric pump took care of both problems.

Thanks!! Can I just add an electric pump in-line?? No other issues?

 

[Sendero]

Thanks!! Can I just add an electric pump in-line?? No other issues?

As far as I know, yes you can do that. You would need to bypass the mechanical pump. A lot of fuel pumps for carbs are low pressure, like 7 psi, and can usually be purchased over the counter. You could mount it somewhere on the frame rail where it is in a safe spot.

 

[Bajabrewer]

Thanks!! Can I just add an electric pump in-line??

My mechanical pump wouldn't pull enough to prime so I bypassed it & just ran the electric with a manual on/off switch & it's worked fine for me. You could also wire it so it's on with the key in "run" position. I would also install an inertia switch so fuel doesn't keep pumping if you were to have an accident & power was still going to the pump. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BZLBCKT/?tag=classicbroncos-20

Here's the Carter I used
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CIQ5DG/?tag=classicbroncos-20

Here's a decent article that answers some questions about weather you should run an electric & mechanical in series - I bypassed the mechanical & ran a short fuel hose from the inlet to the outlet to keep dirt out.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...n-engine-when-installing-electric-one.939182/

 

[BroncoJimbo]

I'm glad this came up. My Bronco does this if I don't start it at least once a week. My son's CJ5 is even worse. I might do the in-line pump thing.