• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

crank, crank, crank, crank, crank, crank, crank.................

My other cars I install boat tank hand pump bulbs on the suction side of the mechanical pump. Works like a charm for cars that have been sitting up for a while or victims of heat soak.

That's a pretty simple solution. Just reach down and squeeze it till it gets hard.

Did I just say that? :D
 
I've got a 1" spacer and 950 cfm. if it's been sitting, I always crank it a few times before hitting the fuel. However, I've got to hit the pedal several times before we have ignition. Crank several times again. Once it goes, it stays running though. Thinking the EFI Route next winter. That'll fix it! Of course mine isn't original either. That would make a difference.

Oh, and RC, you did just say that!! :lol:
 
Dang....thought I was in trouble but wondered Y you forgot the why. I'm relieved to the point that I'm light headed now! Oh man, you just don't know how relieved I am! :D Back in the day, my cars didn't sit for 5 days but it did sit in my dad's garage for nearly 2 months when I went into the military. When I finally got into tech school and got a weekend off and was able to go get it, not only was the battery dead, it puked at least a quart of ATF and was very hard to get started. Thought my dad was going to start it up from time to time but he didn't :( Ended up feeding it with a good shot of fuel down it's throat to get it to fire up.
 
Yes I do, but it seems that with Carter carbs, the gas just evaporates in about 5 days. I wonder if this was an issue with gas back in the day?

Ethanol has a much lower boiling point, today's fuel blend is meant for fuel injection so there's the biggest problem.

I know a lot of you guys are sticking to the OEM looks but a phenolic spacer and a Quickfuel with the special coating completely got rid of that issue for me. No choke and fires everytime, 2 pumps if it has been sitting just turn the key if it's warm. I do however still have the occasional hiccup from fuel evaporating in my lines.
 
Interesting points on this thread. I run a six pack and the heat crossovers are blocked so I don't have a choke. I have to pump the pedal too before she will hit, after it starts it's fine. I wonder if one of the cheap mr gasket fuel pumps would work just to prime it then shut it off? Anybody know of a problem with the mechanical pump pulling through one of those or a problem with the electric pushing through the carter mechanical?
 
watching this thread intently...

smoking dog.gif
 
Bill, I put the phenolic spacers on mine and a friends 6bbl, helped tremendously! Just for the record mine isn't on the road yet. But the 70RR I helped tune with the 440+6 took can of 100% of his problem. They didn't raise anything to much that the hood didn't clear. Maybe 1/2 inch with 3/8 spacer & gasket.
 
IMG_20160813_162102.jpg

You can see them here if you look close.
 
Bill, I put the phenolic spacers on mine and a friends 6bbl, helped tremendously! Just for the record mine isn't on the road yet. But the 70RR I helped tune with the 440+6 took can of 100% of his problem. They didn't raise anything to much that the hood didn't clear. Maybe 1/2 inch with 3/8 spacer & gasket.
where did you get them?
 
I'll have to go through my thread, give me a minute.

Couldn't find it on my thread. The place I got them also sold them for Pontiac & chevy I think. If I find it I'll post here.
 
Last edited:
3-5 times to the floor. The electric fuel pump did not help on mine when I used one. Doesn't spinning it a few times help lubrication after setting? I usually spin it before 3-5 to the floor just to get the oil stirring. 850 Demon. No choke.
Lucky you. I have to put my right leg into a epileptic fit with the gas pedal to get it to fire. No choke either. Yeah, spinnin the motor does help prime it some.

Yes I do, but it seems that with Carter carbs, the gas just evaporates in about 5 days. I wonder if this was an issue with gas back in the day?
FWIW, I have a flip top squirt bottle with some gas in it for these reasons. I have noticed that after I let the bottle sit for a few weeks, that the bottle collapse's on it own. I guess this is from the evaporation of the alcohol?
 
Yes I do, but it seems that with Carter carbs, the gas just evaporates in about 5 days. I wonder if this was an issue with gas back in the day?

The ethanol blend does seem to evaporate quicker. I have newer Edelbrocks on my two cars, one with mechanical pump and the other with electric. If the mechanical sits for over a week it takes some cranking to get fuel up. The electric pump.....ignition on to prime, a tap to squirt some gas and she fires off. No choke on that one either.
 
I know this isn't what you are asking, but I just use one of these to prime the float bowls through the vents if it has set for a week or more. Works like a charm. Lit her up after setting all winter with one short crank.

8.jpg
 
I know this isn't what you are asking, but I just use one of these to prime the float bowls through the vents if it has set for a week or more. Works like a charm. Lit her up after setting all winter with one short crank.

View attachment 606302
Mines the same I use but different, yes it does work that way too. Sometimes I have to get out and give it another shot of that to get it going. Kind of a pain, yes, but still better then crankin the crap out of the starter and stressing the starter as well as the chargin system as the Alt needle pegs to charge with all that crankin till recharged again. I do like the extra pump idea better though.
 
I have the phenolic spacer under my Edelbrock (Carter ripoff) 750cfm as well. It's there mostly to try and keep some fuel in the bowls but I originally did it with the Holley I used to run to get the linkage to clear the stock manifold choke pot.

I'm about ready to do the little electric booster pump inline with the 8-screw Carter fuel pump.
You guys running those - on which side of the stock pump did you install them?
 
I have one of those electric pumps with a mechanical pump on my Dart. I tried all the other stuff, (spacers, wrapping the fuel lines). All helped. I wired the pump with a momentary switch. Turn the key to on, hold button until I hear the sound change, and pump a couple times since you still need to get fuel up through the accelerator pump passages, hit the key, and go. Electric pumps are pushers. Locate as close to the tank as possible. I recently went to a Holley with an electric choke. Still need to prime it some, but not as much.
 
I'll have to go through my thread, give me a minute.

Couldn't find it on my thread. The place I got them also sold them for Pontiac & chevy I think. If I find it I'll post here.
Find where you got these?
 
I couldn't come up with it. My friend is looking through his stuff to see if he has it.
 
I ditched the mechanical and went to a Holley Electric mounted back by the tank. The pump comes on with the ignition. Instant fire!

The block mounted mechanical pumps just add heat to the fuel which adds to the issue.
 
OK so this might be a little far fetched but what about a phenolic spacer for the fuel pump? Make a slightly longer pushrod and maybe a rubber gasket to try and seal off the pump from the block......but maybe more work than it's worth. Plus I guess that might throw off the geometry of the rod to pump arm. I just hate the whine of a electric fuel pump.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top