LT-1 Hard Start

[Steve]

lt hard start steve i have a lt roadster that i just bought it runs fine once it is started but is impossible to start i pump the gas once to set the choke and then crank it cranks but does not fire the only way i get it to start quickly is to spray starting fluid in the carb it starts right up then also i can smell gas when driving the car any suggestions on what is wrong

[Dick W.]

Re: LT-1 Hard Start

re lt hard start dick whittington welcome to the world of hollley carburetors it sounds like that the fuel is leaking out of the carburetor usually by way of the power valve while it is sitting i would suggest that if you are not familiar with holley's to get a competent mechanic to go though your carburetor the smell of raw gas while it is running is usually an external leak in the fuel system if this is the case you should be able to see a damp or wet area in the fuel system also the evaporative emission cannister can emit gas fumes replacing the charcoal filter usually takes care of this

[J. Wright]

Re: LT-1 Hard Start

re lt hard start j wright the hard starting may be because the choke is not closing completely after you set the choke remove the air cleaner lid and look at the blade that covers the throat of the carb it should be closed so that there is not any opening at all even a gap could make the engine very hard to start another thing to check is if the accelerator valve is providing a shot of fuel when the accelerator pedal is depressed hope this helps

[Steve]

Re: LT-1 Hard Start

re lt hard start steve hi dick thanks for the response but i had just put a new power valve in the holley the valves had been adjusted too tight and it was initially back firing i adjusting the valves and the back firing has stopped it runs much better too obviously the back firing had blown the power valve so i replaced it and put in a check valve kit they sell to protect the power valve against backfiring where else could it be leaking internal to the carb i will replace the vapor cannister and see if that helps the raw gas smell thanks for your help steve

[Carl R.]

Re: LT-1 Hard Start

re lt hard start carl rose hi steve i suspect you have probably already considered these but how about ignition timing vacuum leaks plugs wires points cap etc all those non carburetor reasons a carb will run poorly i might humbly suggest to completely disassemble and then rebuild your carburetor using holley only parts i know we always worry about leaking power valves but i have only ever seen one actually fail despite backfires etc having disassembled my more times than i can count it seems that frequently i experienced a therapeutic disassembly when everything was fine once rebuilt things that wear out on a holley include the throttle shaft bushings which usually give a rough air leak idle hoever you sound as if tackling a carb rebuild is not beyond your abilities so i would probably start there an excellent book on theory design and repair of holley carburetors is published by hp books holley carburetors by mike ulrich also be sure you are using the correct base gasket on the intake and the little fiber washers under the bowl screws aren't leaking occasionally i have had my primary bowl vent overflow fuel level too high after stopping for no apparent reason welcome to the world of holley carbs good luck carl

[Dick W.]

Re: LT-1 Hard Start

re lt hard start dick whittington steve i did not mean for you to replace the whole vapor recovery cannister just the charcoal filter sorry if i mislead you