Have a strange thing on my 56 Vicky, I have been living with it for a while now but want to see if anyone has a quick fix or has seen it before.  I searched and didn't come up with anything that seemed related.

When the car sits for a few days I have to pump and crank it for about 10 seconds then it fires right up.  (I think this is very normal).  Then if I shut it off and restart it within about 5 min's it fires up as soon as I hit the starter.... GREAT...

However, the problem is if I run it till it's warm and then shut it off and wait an hour or so (like drive to a cruise or something), it takes a LOT of cranking (20 seconds) and pumping to get it started, then it runs rough for about 5 seconds... and then is back to normal.  If I then shut it off it will start up immediately again.

Could it be something like a stuck choke or bad float bowl or something?

Thanks!!!

Andrew 56-Vicky

The Highlands, Louisville, Ky.

I've done some playing with the T-pot (still having issues).  If I run it till its hot (185*) then shut it down and pull the top off the carb I see little streams of bubbles coming up through the fuel. I assume that is percolation mentioned above.  As this is bubbleing I also see fuel coming in from the inlet valve.

So, if this is percolation, is there a good way to fix it? I'm in AZ and it's pretty warm now so I need to get it fixed if I'm going to drive it much.

One guy at a cruise in mentioned that percolation causes the fuel to evaporate and the issue when you try to start it isn't that it's flooded but that it has to pump the lines full again. He suggested I add an electric fuel pump to run for a few seconds before I start it.  What do you guys think?

Andrew 56-Vicky

As the fuel percolates, where are those fuel vapors going?  They are collecting in the air filter.  That causes a rich mixture when you try to restart.  Sometime when it's warmed up, shut it down and take the air filter off.  Let it sit for an hour and then put the filter back on and try to start it.  See if it acts any differently.

Do you have the 1/2" thick phenolic spacer between the manifold and carb.  That should insulate the carb some to reduce percolation.  There is a little flat metal clip around the accelerator pump rod just below the air cleaner flange.  That clip covers a hole in the pump rod, slide the clip up or down on the rod to uncover the hole.  Also, be sure the heat riser valve between the right exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe is free, or in your climate, just tie it open.  That will reduce intake manifold heat.  Truck intake gaskets can be used to further reduce intake heat.  In your area, you might get away with blocking the exhaust heat at the juncture of the heads and manifold.

John in Selma, IN