How fast?

65-440 · Oct 25, 2021

How fast does your engines start? Please also list ignition system and whether carb/injected..
I ask this because I just had 2 customer vehicles in my shop, one was a '34 Ford with a SBC and the other was an '85 GMC again with a SBC....one had edelbrock the other holley, one had MSD and the other Mallory....both of these fired right up with a touch of the key, not even 1 full engine revolution! So crazy....I've never had engines that started that fast...neither of them have done anything to get them to start that way, one is a crate engine with an out of the box Mallory distributor.
I would love to hear from any of you that have been able to achieve quick engine start time and what your combos are.....neither my small block(mopar electronic ignition) or big block (pertronix ignitor2) start anywhere remotely close to what these two did.....I am very jealous!

Hemi 354 · Oct 25, 2021

I have a 383 in my 66 Belvedere w/MSD. My engine fires in about 1 1/2 to 2 turns. BAM !

65-440 · Oct 25, 2021

Hemi 354 said:
I have a 383 in my 66 Belvedere w/MSD. My engine fires in about 1 1/2 to 2 turns. BAM

is it consistent? Under perfect conditions both of mine will fire really fast, but like I said perfect conditions...this '34 I had, it could sit still for 2 days and I would just reach in and hit the ignition and it lit right off without a hiccup...[/QUOTE]

Cojohnso1 · Oct 25, 2021

65-440 said:
is it consistent? Under perfect conditions both of mine will fire really fast, but like I said perfect conditions...this '34 I had, it could sit still for 2 days and I would just reach in and hit the ignition and it lit right off without a hiccup...

[/QUOTE]
Depends on how long it sat? Today's fuels evap quicker. And of course carb cars needs to get their bowls filled. When all warmed up? My 440 4 barrel with old orange electronic ignition module fires up on first crank. Cold and sat for a week? A few pumps and about 3-4 full cranks. Maybe even longer in now colder air. (30s-40s f) But once started and warmed? 440 LOVES this cool dry air!

HawkRod · Oct 25, 2021

I would guess that timing and compression ratio have a lot to do with how fast an engine starts. If you have a lot of base/ static timing as well as high compression I think that engine will be harder to start. I'd bet, in general, a low(er) compression engine with 5 degrees or so of base timing will start pretty easy.

After that, having a good strong spark and good fuel delivery are the next parts of the puzzle. I would also believe that a carb with good, strong accelerator pump and a properly working and adjusted choke would be needed too. Pump throttle once, turn key and vroom! My 73 with an Edelbrock, 9.4:1 compression 340 and MSD blaster coil starts almost immediately every time.

Hemi 354 · Oct 25, 2021

Yes, Mine is consistent. In past months, I replaced by Edelbrock 750 AFB (about 20 years old), with a new AVS2. Just flip my switches for Master IGN, MSD, Fuel Pump - step on the throttle once, then hit my start button. BAM !

BeepBeepRR · Oct 25, 2021

383 with Holley Sniper and Holley Hyper Spark turn the key on let the computer load and fires right up.

1STMP · Oct 26, 2021

360 1979 AMC Jeep CJ7
Ford ignition (distributor\starter\solenoid.
750 cfm Holley, Edelbrock highrise, headers.
Punch the pedal down to close the choke,
instant fire. Timing set 10 deg advanced.
4.000 ft altitude. One touch of the key, she
starts quick every time.

Outlawd · Oct 26, 2021

68 GTX 440 with holley 750 carb, eddy rpm intake and mopar orange box starts at full engine revolution cold and almost instantly warm. 69 Coronet R/T 440 with BDS 871 blower, 2 holley 750 dp carbs and mopar orange box starts instantly cold and warm less than an entire engine revolution.

Ron H · Oct 26, 2021

Mine (rebuilt poly with some hp adds) fires within 3 cranks or less after pushing throttle to set choke. If it has sat for a while I crank the motor several times to get things flowing before giving the throttle to fire up. Have an eddy with electric choke and mopar elec ignition. I run ethanol free premium gas in it most of the time though doesn’t need it.

Don Frelier · Oct 26, 2021

HawkRod said:
I would guess that timing and compression ratio have a lot to do with how fast an engine starts. If you have a lot of base/ static timing as well as high compression I think that engine will be harder to start. I'd bet, in general, a low(er) compression engine with 5 degrees or so of base timing will start pretty easy.

Sorry Hawk but I have seen some high compression motors with high base timing start really well.
I think a good permanent magnet mini-starter really makes a difference.
My brother built a .060 over 440 with a QuickFuel Carb and Ready to Run distributor.
It's a real 10.2 : 1 motor with the base timing at 20 degrees BTDC you almost can't release the key quick enough.
Now that same engine with a good old gear reduction starter would certainly be slower to start as they turn over slower and you get a larger voltage drop at the battery.

The 383 in my Plymouth starts pretty well. I don't know the exact compression ratio since I didn't build it but it's probably around 9 : 1 with base timing around 15.
But it will vary depending on hot or cold and how long it's been shut down.
That one has a Carter AFB competition series with a chrome box and Mopar Electronic distributor.
Once I had a case where I hadn't driven it in maybe a month and the choke didn't close (LIKE IT SHOULD).
Could hardly get it to fire, I knew something wasn't right. Opened the hood set the choke and it fired immediately.
Around here a properly set up choke is a must.

MelroseMopar · Oct 28, 2021

Stroked 440- 512 With Holley sniper stealth EFI. I turn key to run position wait till Fuel pump stops then crank. dosent matter if engine is hot or cold 1-2 seconds cranking and starts...... so far..

451Mopar · Oct 28, 2021

the newer mini starter helps.

Dodge 330 · Oct 28, 2021

MSD 6AL with a stock, recurved distributor. Mini starter. Fires INSTANTLY! Even friends with fuel injection are suprised how quickly it fires. If it's cooler I do half a pump on the throttle to get a pump shot into the intake.

65-440 · Oct 28, 2021

Dodge 330 said:
MSD 6AL with a stock, recurved distributor. Mini starter. Fires INSTANTLY! Even friends with fuel injection are suprised how quickly it fires. If it's cooler I do half a pump on the throttle to get a pump shot into the intake.

What is your initial timing at?

65-440 · Oct 28, 2021

I'm hoping the answer doesn't lie within a high energy ignition system as I've tried real hard to keep a factory appearance, but at this point if that's my answer I may just jump ship!

Dodge 330 · Oct 31, 2021

65-440 said:
What is your initial timing at?

I have 36° total. With the lightweight springs in the distributor it pretty much just helps as a retard for starting and is all in at idle. My 6AL is hidden under the battery so stock look is retained.

65-440 · Nov 8, 2021

Dodge 330 said:
I have 36° total. With the lightweight springs in the distributor it pretty much just helps as a retard for starting and is all in at idle. My 6AL is hidden under the battery so stock look is retained. View attachment 1187194

Man, I may play around with timing some. On my 383, it's 9.44:1 comp, 16 degrees initial/36 total, holley 770, mini starter, pertronix ignitor 2 .... someimes takes a few revolutions to fire. I definitely think it should start quicker than it does.

How fast?

65-440

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Hemi 354

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65-440

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Cojohnso1

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HawkRod

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