Cold Start Up

[jlewis]

I tell you what it isn't fun when I have to start my truck up in the cold. When I do start it up I have to turn the ignition three times and then it will start up but it is at a fast idle. Then 30 sec later I can pump the gas and it runs at a normal idle. Does anybody else have this problem or is it just normal? I have change my electric choke on the carberator but that didn't do anything. Will a new carberator help me at all?

[grand_wag_85]

Mine starts up fine in the cold but stalls unless you get on the gas but the gauge says no oil pressure for the first few seconds so it's kind of a double edged sword...

[jlewis]

do you have the original carberator on it or what?

[Ristow]

stock carb? V8 or I6?

have you done a full setup and adjustment of the choke and fast idle linkeages?

[grand_wag_85]

Should have added that. The Chero has a 360, Edlebrock 4BBl intake & matching 670CFM carb. Still needs to be tuned tho. Not 100% sure on the details since the PO, Artsifrtsi, put it on...Maybe he'll chime in

[jpcoutts]

That sounds pretty normal to me for a carbureted engine, we've all gotten spoiled by fuel injection which has all but eliminated the skill (art?) involved in starting a cold engine. I love my FSJ's!!!!!!

[DanHS]

It should start on fast idle, then go for about 30 seconds before you tap the gas and it goes down to regular idle, so all is correct with that, I don't like the having to turn the ignition three times, you mean you crank it for a moment and it doesn't start until the third time? You should be able to give the gas one or two pumps before starting it, and it should start right away and idle high.

[jlewis]

I pump the gas when I am doing it but the engines is like "VARRRRROMMMM" and then it dies. Then around the 3rd or 4th time it runs.

[DanHS]

Sounds like the gas is draining out of the bowl when you park the truck. Search around and you should find some info on this. A blown power valve or improperly located fuel return line will cause the fuel to drain out of the bowl, leaving it empty when you go to start the truck, and requiring that you crank it for a while until the fuel pump brings up more gas.

[Ristow]

on a properly set-up carb,if you pump the gas while cranking you release the choke plate and fast idle.

set it up according to the service manual.you should be able to pump it once or twice,hit the key,and walk away from it.

that's for a stock carb. the holleys and edelbrocks do not have as sophisticated a choke as factory carbs,so they don't always start and run as readily.

[chrisnsarah]

I pump the gas when I am doing it but the engines is like "VARRRRROMMMM" and then it dies. Then around the 3rd or 4th time it runs.

The choke unloader may be mis-adjusted or the choke piston or vacuum motor is stuck.

I found if I set the specs right on a carb rebuild, especially the choke, I won't have any trouble with a cold start. It will fast idle until the choke heats up.

If it's really cold, say 10F in the morning, I may have to pump it twice and it always starts after 2 or 3 revolutions. Pumping it more than that just floods it.