My car is having a hard time starting. It really has me puzzled...

I've gone through just about everything and the only thing I can come up with is the compression.

140, 150, 120, 120, 150, 110, 130, 130



It typically takes about 5 seconds to fire and when it does it sounds like it isn't running on all cylinders for a few seconds then it runs and idols fine. I can shut it off and it will start right up but if I wait 5 minutes or so its hard to start again.



I put a little oil in the 110 cylinder and compression went up to 150.



Is the compression the reason for the hard starts?


Corona, Ca.

Compression looks good. Hard to start how is it slow turning over, i would check the voltage drop when starting at the starter and see if you have either a weak battey or weak starter. If it spins over fine but takes a while to fire i would check ignition, fuel supply, or vacumn leaks.

Dont judge me, you dont know my situation.

What would be a good way to test the ignition?

Corona, Ca.

I think you compression is fine if it was a comp problem it would be a problem all the time.  I would make sure your carb isn't gummed up or check choke operation if it has that.  You compression would have to be really low to cause hard starting.  I would check for vacuum leaks also.  Will it start easier if you pump the gas once before starting or try to press the accelerator slightly while cranking.  I think it is definately a carb issue.  Good luck.  I have fuel injection and I am still trying to perfect my cold start, hot start, restart......  As long as it starts one way or another that's all that matters!!  Once it's running then the pedal can go to the floor!!  Run it hard these Y's can handle it.

I have my timing fairly advanced, so it takes a few revolutions to start it can cause some longer starts. 5 seconds does not sound too excessive. Once it catches and gets going it smooths out. I would figure if your rings were to the point they were a problem you would be seeing some smoke.

I also agree a vacuum leak could be an easy culprit. I will admit to another thread of believing something truly sinister was living in my engine when it was just a crack in the hard PCV line.

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC

Oh and yes also had an internal carb leak in the form of a blown power valve that caused some issues.

Only real advice is start easy and work to more intensive.



Fuel-air-spark

Mike Rizzo

1963 F100 "Rudy"

Daniel Island, SC

Gunner: You don't say what model carb you have. Other things to check as mentioned is timing & choke operation. An example of hard re starting was my Holley 2300-2Bbl. When shut off for a few minutes it would start leaking internally & flood somewhat. Small orfices in the fuel block were plugged up.

Paul

I’ll put ignition at the top of the list.  Make sure the MSD is getting a full 12 volts and is grounded well.  With the coil wire removed from the distributor cap and placed about ½” from a grounded surface, with the key on and spinning the engine, the spark should be crisp and whitish blue.  If the spark is fuzzy and orange/yellow, then you need to dig deeper into the voltage supply or the basic wiring.  If you have a Pertronix Ignitor II or III, then those also require a straight twelve volts and should not be wired through the resistor.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

It has a 4412 Holley I'm thinking it is running a little rich. When I take the air cleaner off it starts a little better. I took the float bowl off and the jets out and cleaned it. For a pretty much stock 292 what size jets should i be running? It has 72's in it.

Corona, Ca.

Now it's doing something new... When I turn off the engine I can hear and see gas dumping into the carb.

Corona, Ca.