Hi Guys. Have changed the gas tank out and new fuel lines. new gasket kit for carb as it was spewing gas. New plugs, points, condensor..... Why is the motor having a hard time starting without pouring a little gas into the carb. It also sounds like it has a miss. Do I need to replace the distrubuter? It seems to be a little sloppy.
Oh dear, where to start ... if I remember right, this is the original motor, which means it is ... OLD ... and it was sitting in some garage since the 80's, right? There is a reason it was parked and left. So, that said, here are some thoughts, based on my experience trying to (and partly succeeding) resurrect my 56 original 6 cyl. motor:
1. When you put new gaskets in the carb, did you totally rebuild it, soaking it in carb cleaner to get rid of the gunk, installing new needles and seats, checking the float level, etc. etc. etc.? If not, then redo it the right way to make sure the carb is 100% - and as Jerel said, a few dollars for a new fuel pump is not a bad idea.
2. Are you following the factory trouble-shooting guide for your problems? (You can find this in the factory shop manual - if you don't have one, then get one.) Misfires can come from many sources.
3. Did you replace plug wires when you did the rest of the ignition system? A bad plug wire (which you can test for) can easily cause a miss. Have you insured that all plug wires are actually firmly connected to both the distributor and the plugs? All it takes is 1 of 6 for a misfire.
4. Have you checked compression on all cylinders? Especially if someone has replaced the original head with a Chevy head (lacking the steam holes) then a cracked head and/or burnt valve can cause misfires. (This is what caused me to give up on keeping my original motor alive a little longer. Not worth the money for the repairs.)
5. Are you an old-school mechanic (not a computer/fuel-injection/modern-car type)? And are confident diagnosing and repairing old cars? If not, consider enlisting the aid of one.
6. Unless you are hell-bent on "keeping it original" and chasing dollar after dollar for problem after problem in that quest, you are far better off IMHO yanking that old stovebolt and bolting in a cheap reman 350 (or, for an upgrade, a low-end performance crate motor). Extremely easy to do and I will GIVE you the throttle linkage you will need (I decided to go with Lokar cable linkage).
Hope this does not sound too pessimistic. If you keep plugging away following the factory trouble-shooting guide, I am sure you can resolve your problems.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Engine off ... look inside the carb while snapping the throtle ... look for gasoline . If nothing comes out, the accelerator pump is defective. Would also help to know what kind of carb you have on what engine and year .
Did you check the compression of each cylinder ? Are you sure the point have been installed and gap the right way ? Vaccum advance is working ?
etc.....etc.....
edit: Could also be old gasoline left inside the intake wich resulted in heavy gunk on the valve and bottom of intake .
-- Edited by MickyG on Tuesday 30th of June 2015 06:12:18 PM
If it starts when you put gas in it, but not otherwise, I'd say your accelerator pump isn't working. Had numerous carbs like that over the years. Very annoying.
That's only one of several issues, I suspect.
Also gotta make sure the choke is opening far enough, but not too far. Tricky business on some of these old cars :)
Might drive a man to drink.
Hard starting and misfire when it does run. I'd say you may have a vacuum leak somewhere. Spray some brake clean around. You should find it if it's there.
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod