Very hard to start when cold

SO this morning it took me at least 20 attempts to get the car started. It was cold last night, dropped down to 36 degrees, so at 8:00 am the engine was really cold.

Now, I was thinking ignition, carburetor, etc, but I don't think so because once the car is warmed up, it starts on the first attempt everytime. But first time after a cold night its a real PITA.

Should I look into some kind of block heater and put it on the cylinder head, or in one of the water jackets in the intake manifold? Something to warm it up before attempting to start it for 20+ times? I tried brake cleaner, didn't really help when it was really cold.

Well, I'd look into some kind of block heater and just go ahead and screw it into the water jacket core of the block. I think you have an A-460 block with the screw in plugs anyway. Secondly, you can get an electrical plug in "pad" style oil heater for dry sump tanks, and just stick it on the outside of the oil pan in the sump/pickup area.

What the real problem is, you need a choke of some kind for the carb. Maybe throw something over the carb air horn that is restrictive, just to start it up. Also, more initial timing will help a bunch. I don't know what you've got for initial, or how you've got your MSD programed, but you can sure change that around.

Charlie

In lieu of a choke you just gotta put a bunch of pump shot in the engine to get it to start in too cold to be racing temps. Like Charlie said, any heat you can put in the oil and water before cranking is a good thing.

After you put the pump shot to it be sure to have the butterflies/throttle plates rotated at least 1/2 open [to keep it from flooding] and be prepared to get off of it when the engine fires.

I never start mine cold, with your A460 block take a freeze plug out of each side, Jerry Bickel Racecars sells some screw in block heaters that are 3/4 npt. Go to the hardware store and get a couple of adapters to fit the freeze plug holes and screw the heaters into them. I also use a heater pad on the oilpan.

pump that bitch!

richter69 wrote:I never start mine cold, with your A460 block take a freeze plug out of each side, Jerry Bickel Racecars sells some screw in block heaters that are 3/4 npt. Go to the hardware store and get a couple of adapters to fit the freeze plug holes and screw the heaters into them. I also use a heater pad on the oilpan.

Ok cool thanks for the info.

cool40 wrote:pump that bitch!

I did. So much so I thought I was going to wash the cylinders with gas.

Yea,all of what those guy's said. Us that have lived in the cold for years and have had cars w/carbs are more experienced for sure. The main thing imo is after pumping it .When it fires,is to keep it running .

richter69 wrote:I never start mine cold, with your A460 block take a freeze plug out of each side, Jerry Bickel Racecars sells some screw in block heaters that are 3/4 npt. Go to the hardware store and get a couple of adapters to fit the freeze plug holes and screw the heaters into them. I also use a heater pad on the oilpan.

Do you remember what size the freeze plug holes are? So something that is like this:

THe adapter (but unsure of size): http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/51118/10002/-1

And the heater itself, one for each side: http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/51117/10002/-1

Or, since I have an electric water pump, would and inline with the bottom radiator hose work? Like this: http://www.jerrybickel.com/cooling-systems/radiator-hose-heater-jbrc5007-1-1-2.html

When I lived in the frozen North, I used a lower hose heater on my old Fairlane with no choke. Worked great...but the car would "tickle" me when I touched it. If your lower hose has a wire coil to keep it from collapsing, be sure to cut back the wire so it doesn't touch the heater.

those heaters look like the Bickel units, I think the freeze plug is a 1 1/4npt iirc

Ok I ordered the Bickel stuff. Got an extra battery also. One of my 16V batteries died after only 1 1/2 years -- and I don't run the car too often.

psfracer wrote:Ok I ordered the Bickel stuff. Got an extra battery also. One of my 16V batteries died after only 1 1/2 years -- and I don't run the car too often.

reminds me i need to get another rock 16v, they seem to last about 2 years

richter69 wrote:

reminds me i need to get another rock 16v, they seem to last about 2 years

We always get 4+ out of them. Do you keep them on the charger in storage?

whatbumper wrote:

richter69 wrote:

reminds me i need to get another rock 16v, they seem to last about 2 years

We always get 4+ out of them. Do you keep them on the charger in storage?

every other week, maybe this one will last longer lol

I keep a small maintainer on mine all the time. I hope that's ok................

IDT-572 wrote:I keep a small maintainer on mine all the time. I hope that's ok................

Thats why their charger is so good. Thats how they are supposed to be stored.

whatbumper wrote:

IDT-572 wrote:I keep a small maintainer on mine all the time. I hope that's ok................

Thats why their charger is so good. Thats how they are supposed to be stored.

I just recently found that out. I had the lightweight braille and it did good for 1-1/2 years. I never put any maintainer on it and thats why it didn't last any longer is what I found out. As far as now, I have a borrowed yellow top that started 1 week ago in 32 degree temps....Had to keep the gas to it.

Use a hair drier set on hot to the air cleaner, will start like a summer day

quick89 wrote:Use a hair drier set on hot to the air cleaner, will start like a summer day

I didn't think of that That could have worked in a pinch I suppose. I think the water heater will be a more permanent solution though..

glow plugs

bbf-falcon wrote:Yea,all of what those guy's said. Us that have lived in the cold for years and have had cars w/carbs are more experienced for sure. The main thing imo is after pumping it .When it fires,is to keep it running .

X2,That's the tricky part i fired mine up Tuesday first time i had it started in a month.It's fun to keep them running after they fire up.It also takes a lot of pumps of the gas pedal to fire it and keep it running.

Later Mark.

EFI. LOL!!

hmmm, hate to lip off but wtf would you guys do if you lived up north where its 25 below. I suppose you already did move south,,,lol. zbob

Well for starters i wouldn't be racing at all in that weather. This is a race car, not a daily driver.

zbob wrote:hmmm, hate to lip off but wtf would you guys do if you lived up north where its 25 below. I suppose you already did move south,,,lol. zbob

leave the block heater plugged in on my 7.3, start it and do a donut............