Guys,

I live in Sydney, Australia and own a 1968 F'back with a 302 engine. It has a 4bbl Holley carb and contact point ignition.
The problem I am having is that it starts OK when cold and also immediately after a drive.
But leave it standing for anything upto 40 minutes and it just does not fire up.
My mechanic recommended a new coil, I did that today, but
still does not start in the mid range cooling period. Fixed that crackling radio as the supreesor wiring was rusted though.

Fuel is OK as it seems to get plenty of fuel when the engine is turning.

Any ideas????

[IMG]local://upfiles/20768/3867A463BAC247A9A6C383F6D16AB23D.jpg[/IMG]

 

How old is the fuel pump??? Sounds like the diaphram is going, and letting the gas run back to the tank. My 289 did that for awhile, then I changed the pump, carb and intake, and it stopped. Something else, is the gas line to the carb touching the intake enough to get hot??? If so, wrap it, or re-route it. Just tossing ideas.

 

It could be the timing. If you have it too far advanced it'll be harder to restart when hot. It shouldn't be a fuel problem when if it's getting fuel while turing over.

 

Thanks. I will check these out and see what happens.

 

Beautiful car!!!!!

Do you get a bunch of black smoke when it does start? OR does it seem like there is not enough fuel?

Are you in the middle of winter? what kind of temps?, or does that even matter with your starting condition?

 

Perhaps the starter is getting too hot. Try a heat sheild for it. Other than that, I second the timing too far advanced suggestion.

 

I agree that timing can be the problem here. What happens is the timing being maybe advanced further than normal specs will cause the enging to run hotter. Since it runs hotter, it is much more difficult for the starter to crank it over fast enough to actually start.

How does it crank say 3-5 minutes after running for awhile? If it sounds like it is cranking over more slowly it's either due to excessive heat from advanced timing or other cooling issues. Could also be the bushings going bad in the starter.

 

No, it does not smoke when started. We are currently in mid-winter, but I have the same problem regardless of the weather conditions.
I will get the timing checked out firstly before I go replacing parts.

Once again, thanks to everyone for their reponses. Will keep you updated on progress.

 

Since you mentioned you have a Holley carb if it is equiped with a power valve that may be the problem. The power valve opens under throttle to richen the mixture. All it takes to ruin one is a backfire. If it is bad it will drip fuel in the intake while the bowl fuel level is high. After sitting a long time the fuel will have evaporated and after shut down and a quick restart it hasn't had time to flood the engine. Pull the fuel level plug on the front bowl and see if the level is down after sitting an hour.