It's possible that one or more of the anti-siphon holes in the carburetor fuel boosters or discharge nozzles are not venting which in turn is allowing fuel to siphon out of the bowl or bowls when the carb sits. I'd have to look at the Edelbrock carb but I suspect there are four of these anti-siphon holes and any one of them being stopped up or not being properly drilled from the factory can cause the hard starting problem to which you refer.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Joe: I agree with you that the problem is not inherent with the Y-block. Ford would have had a huge recall problem on their hands if it was (did they do recalls back then? Probably not) and it would be common knowledge by now. I think the problem has to do with vacuum/fuel leaks somewhere between the tank and the carb as discussed above. I hope we get more people weighing in on the topic, though, because I'm going to try all the suggestions and when I eventually solve the problem I'll post it here. Ron

Pete: checked that and the accelerator pump is working as it should. Kevin said he has no starting problems, hot or cold, with a 390cfm Holley. Wonder if my 600cfm Edelbrock is too "big" for the 312? Doesn't seem likely,though. And don't think it would explain my starting problems. Ron

I have a 57 t-bird with a 600cfm edlebrock (electric choke) and it always starts right up and runs smooth----much better than it ever did with the Holley that was on it. The only time it fails to start immediately is when it has sat for a couple weeks or more and even then it starts well, just takes a few more cranks/revolutions. Interestingly, all settings on the carb are what they were out of the box. I played with it some when I first installed it, but ended up with the factory settings and there it's stayed. So, from my perspective the y-block engine is not the problem nor is the Edlebrock.

Mine has a 390 cfm holly and starts with no problem cold or hot, the only time I have to crank it longer is if it sits for 4 months or more. Then it need to crank till the fuel pump refills the carb. I would not buy into the "they all start hard when cold" thing

Might be a little of the nature of the beast. When I was running the 600 Holley never had a problem with starting only if left for weeks at a time, when I went to the 465 it now only goes a few days. I figure its because it has the vent hole on the bowl and it evaporates.
Choke may not be correctly set? Maybe if the float level is not right ? etc etc.



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

I have a 292 with a 2100 and manual choke and I am still learning how to get to run cold. I am in South Texas so it is not a long term isssue. 2 weeks ago it was 45 degrees, I left a 65 degree garage and when the motor cooled down a few blocks down the road she died. It took 45 minute to get going. Parked her outside last week (50 degrees) and she started with the choke and then died two blocks away. I adjusted the valves and noticed the choke was completely closing when it was full on. Now I am pulling the choke 3/4 and it has the 3/8 gap specified. That is working better but still do not trust her enough to bring my small childern with me on a cold day.

Runs strong on when she warm. I changed the accelorator pump setting but still get a stumble until she is completely warm.

Hi, when your car is not starting as it should. With the engine OFF, take off the air cleaner and check that the accelerator pump is in fact pumping gas into the carb.
This will allow you to eliminate the fuel supply system as the problem. I have no experience with Edelbrock carbs but that was a very common fault with Rochester 4BBL carbs. No fuel in the fuel bowl after a short period of time. Pete

Tom: Your suggestions sound spot on. It explains why my engine won't start when cold--engine has cooled down, fittings and metal surfaces have contracted, and fuel/vacuum leaks are occurring. Conversely, it would explain why it starts instantly when the engine is hot--all those fittings and metal surfaces have expanded from the heat, sealed as they should, and there are no vacuum/fuel leaks. I'll go back and check everything with those suspicions in mind. Many thanks, Ron...

I dont have any experience with edelbrocks on y blocks but have had several edelbrocks on other fords. Have you set your idle air screws with a vacuum gauge? May make a difference? Do you pump the throttle at all when its cold?

1962 f250 currently heartless
1961 country squire 292 3 speed
1963 galaxie 390 powered
1976 f250 4wd 390 powered