D**n holleys

[70RTdroptop]

I've got a SixPack set-up in my '70 Challenger. If I don't drive it for even 1 day, I've got to pump the gas pedal like mad, and crank the engine over maybe 20 times, before the engine will even start. Is this common for these Holley carbs?  Carbs have been recently re-built ( like last year ). I do have a new MSD ignition system in the car. Anybody got any ideas what's happening here, and more important, suggestions on how to fix this?

[ShelbyDogg]

Don't blame the Holleys. Maybe the last time that you parked it all the heat under them boiled all of the fuel out of the float bowls and flooded it. (all 3 bowls) The next time you try to start it, there is too much gas in there and it doesn't start till it leans back out. Did you install the 1/4" thick heat insulator gaskets under the carbs?  I bet that you only have the paper thin ones under yours. 
 Next time that you know that it'll be a problem starting, pull the air cleaner first and work the throttle by hand while looking into the bores. See if you get a pump shot out of the squirters. If you do, then try to start it. If it still doesn't start right away, it's flooded. Hold the throttle to the floor to get more air in there.
  If you don't get any fuel, start cranking because the bowls are empty,  and still could be flooded. 

I've also had those rubber tipped needle and seats stick closed on me. Get one without rubber.
Rob

[Chryco Psycho]

definatly not right , it could be flooded or the bowls could be leaking or the squirter in not working properly as suggested , typically 1-2 pumps & it will fire right up

[Bullitt-]

I don't speak Holley but wouldn't the flooding issues be the same 1 day later as 2? I guess a SLOW leak could explain. & if it were the accelerator pump I wouldn't think 1 or 2 days would make any dif. 

[Oldschool]

70RT,

  Do you have an electric or mechanical fuel pump?  IF the fuel bowls are losing the fuel for whatever reason, (boiling out, evaporation, or a leak), you can turn on an electric pump and refill the bowls before you try and start it up.  This will save a lot of grinding on the starter and pumping the gas so much.  If you have a mechanical pump, you are stuck doing what you are doing until you get the cause of the problem repaired.  After the car has sat for a few days, remove the fuel bowl "sight" plugs on the sides of the bowls and see if there is enough fuel in the bowls.  If not, you will know why the car is hard to start and you can begin seeking repairs.         ...Oldschool

[70RTdroptop]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Looks like one of my problems is the choke - doesn't seem to be operating properly. Squirters work fine , they shoot gas right away ( I checked them out before I started the car today ). I'm not flooding the engine either when I start it up - no black cloud of smoke when she finally fires up. Maybe it's just cold-blooded ( temps aren't that warm around here yet ) and that's why I need to give a little more . It did start up quite a bit faster than has been the case. Guess it's one of those things I'll have to keep an eye on. Thanks again for all the quick responses, you guys are great!

[Bullitt-]

Amazing how often it turns out to be the simplest things. Glad you solved your problem. 

[ShelbyDogg]

Hmmm.   If you're getting pump shot and engine doesn't fire right away, it doesn't matter if that choke is working or not. The choke will just keep it from stalling.  I think you still boiled the fuel out of the bowls.  Like Oldschool said, Check the fuel level in the bowls before you start up.  Pull the site plug and shake the car to see if the fuel is there.
Rob

[GreenFish]

i dont even use a choke.. i have  demon carb and even in the winter the car starts right up.

[70RTdroptop]

Haven't gotten around to checking the fuel level yet, project for tomorrow . Could be that I'm boiling the fuel, though.  I'll have a better idea tomorrow. If I do show that no fuel is in carb, I'll probably go to an electric fuel pump. I don't need that unnecessary wear and tear on the engine for such a dumb reason. Thanks for all the responses!

[ShelbyDogg]

Also get the thicker base gaskets and put in some longer studs to secure the carbs. That way you wont risk pulling the threads out of the manifold.
Rob

[70RTdroptop]

Well, finally got around to checking out the carbs the other day prior to starting the car. Pulled the sight plugs, front and rear carbs had plenty of gas, center carb totally dry . I'm thinking I have a leak somewhere - if the gas was being boiled out of the carb, wouldn't all the carbs be affected? Seems like a dumb question, I know, but I'm just trying to get a handle on why there's no gas in the center carb. Any suggestions on how to proceed from here? I'm guessing I've got another carb re-build in the near future, though...

[ShelbyDogg]

Probably just leaking then. You'll have to pull it to watch it on the bench.  You dont have to rebuild it, just take it apart and see what's leaking.  Could be that your power valve isn't screwed in tight enough. On the bench, fill it through the little vent tube, at the top, with a ketchup or mustard squirt dispenser that you can buy at WalMart.
If it's leaking you'll see it right away.
Rob

[Chryco Psycho]

the center carb has the accelerater pump diaphragm ,& if it is leaking the bowl will be dry