Anger and Frustration - Trouble starting at night - 68 coupe 302
05-25-2009, 07:43 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location:
Posts: 28
Anger and Frustration - Trouble starting at night - 68 coupe 302
Hey guys,
I have a 1968 coupe 302 with stock heads, 650 thunder series edelbrock carb [converted to manual choke], edelbrock air gap intake manifold, comp 268 dur cam, stock points distributor, and a msd blaster coil.
I listed all of my engine mods because I am stumped as to why this brand new engine with barely 400 miles on it will not start at night.
I've pissed off the neighbors at 3 of my friends homes because of my car backfiring. The only, last resort, way of starting it is having the choke completely closed and holding my foot all the way down on the gas. It will start if I do that but obviously sounds like a cannon because I have 3 in pipe and 2 stage flows. To make matters worse, I think my new starter is beginning to fail.
I know the problem isn't with the accelerator pump or the fast idle. Any help with troubleshooting will be much appreciated. Thanks
I have a 1968 coupe 302 with stock heads, 650 thunder series edelbrock carb [converted to manual choke], edelbrock air gap intake manifold, comp 268 dur cam, stock points distributor, and a msd blaster coil.
I listed all of my engine mods because I am stumped as to why this brand new engine with barely 400 miles on it will not start at night.
I've pissed off the neighbors at 3 of my friends homes because of my car backfiring. The only, last resort, way of starting it is having the choke completely closed and holding my foot all the way down on the gas. It will start if I do that but obviously sounds like a cannon because I have 3 in pipe and 2 stage flows. To make matters worse, I think my new starter is beginning to fail.
I know the problem isn't with the accelerator pump or the fast idle. Any help with troubleshooting will be much appreciated. Thanks
05-25-2009, 08:01 PM
#3
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 446
My first thought on a hard start at night is water in the distributor cap or weak points. Other than that, does it actually backfire while cranking - or when you let off the key? If it backfires when you let off the key it likely has no fire to the distributor during crank but gets a 12 volt shot when the key is released to the on position which can lead to a backfire, hardstart problem.
An extremely rich fuel mixture (the wide open throttle while choked) can "sometimes" overcome a weak spark.
Generally, a lean fuel mixture will backfire out the carb. A weak spark, spark at the wrong time or crossfire will backfire out the exhaust.
An extremely rich fuel mixture (the wide open throttle while choked) can "sometimes" overcome a weak spark.
Generally, a lean fuel mixture will backfire out the carb. A weak spark, spark at the wrong time or crossfire will backfire out the exhaust.
05-25-2009, 08:15 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location:
Posts: 28
My first thought on a hard start at night is water in the distributor cap or weak points. Other than that, does it actually backfire while cranking - or when you let off the key? If it backfires when you let off the key it likely has no fire to the distributor during crank but gets a 12 volt shot when the key is released to the on position which can lead to a backfire, hardstart problem.
An extremely rich fuel mixture (the wide open throttle while choked) can "sometimes" overcome a weak spark.
Generally, a lean fuel mixture will backfire out the carb. A weak spark, spark at the wrong time or crossfire will backfire out the exhaust.
An extremely rich fuel mixture (the wide open throttle while choked) can "sometimes" overcome a weak spark.
Generally, a lean fuel mixture will backfire out the carb. A weak spark, spark at the wrong time or crossfire will backfire out the exhaust.
It backfires while I am cranking. It only does this at night when the engine is cold. When i initially turn the key it will feel like its starting and the fast idle will make it rev for a split second before it dies or as soon as i stop cranking it. thats with my foot just sitting on the gas pedal with the choke closed. If I push the gas all the way down it will eventually start and also be revved to like 3k.
