Starting a C1 in cold weather

[Valeria H.]

I'm attending a retirement party this afternoon and would love to drive my 60 to the party. I have my gargage heated and I start her up daily even if I don't take her on the road.
I'm concerned about getting the car started after sitting in below freezing temps for several hours.
When I drove the car exculsively in PA winters years ago I had a choke pull to help start the car. It is not there now.
Does anyone have advise about this.
Valeria

[Edward J.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Valeria, you'll need to pump the acc. pedal more than a few times without a choke. once started hold the acc. pedal to a higher rpm about 1200-1500.

[Michael W.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

I start her up daily even if I don't take her on the road.

That's really NOT a good idea. Please check the archives.

My car will start reliably in any weather warm enough to allow the engine to turn over, but I have the stock carb and a fully functioning choke. If yours is missing or disabled, be prepared to have a helper hold a rag or their hand over the primary barrels until it starts and warms slightly.

[Edward J.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Mike, I see that we both live in the colder climate, as it does make it tough to start a car in the colder weather without a choke, but I done this many times before, being in the automotive repair bussiness.I have had more than few cars without operating chokes, they will run without a choke maybe a few stall outs and restarts. as for holding a rag or your hand over carb.while starting car would not be reccommended as a backfire may occure.

There maybe a possiablity that if the acc. is pumped to much you can flood the engine, useally a 2or 3 pump on the pedal will help with a cold engine without any problems.

[Michael W.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

as for holding a rag or your hand over carb.while starting car would not be reccommended as a backfire may occure.

That's why you get a helper to do it.

[Valeria H.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Thanks,
I knew I could count on you all to give me some advise. As soon as I can I will have the choke pull replaced. My car sat garaged for many years and I don't know where along the way that pull was pulled terminally. I think I am going to give it a try. Cell phone, AAA card, jump box, tools, fender covers, headlamp are all packed.
Valeria

[Mike M.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Thanks,
I knew I could count on you all to give me some advise. As soon as I can I will have the choke pull replaced. My car sat garaged for many years and I don't know where along the way that pull was pulled terminally. I think I am going to give it a try. Cell phone, AAA card, jump box, tools, fender covers, headlamp are all packed.
Valeria

include a can of ether. just a dab'll do ya. Brylcream, 1960

[Roy B.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Even here in Northern Ca. Sierra's in the winter and on a nice sunny day it can lower to 20 degrees , and yes I do drive it in the winter but added some GM winter accessories (winter wipers, battery warmer, snow tracks and a original Carter engine heater) . I carry 100 foot electric cord if we go see friends in Reno or Tahoe, I just plug into their outlet , then later the engine starts right up with no problem. But then I'm a weird guy>

[Roy B.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

I for got to add Pic.

[Jerry W.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

MIke...you forgot...Brylcream...It makes you feel so Debonare

Valeria...Remove air cleaner and put a clothes pin on the choke butterfly before starting...been there...done that.

4 inch snow here in southern Missouri last night...good day for forumn

[Valeria H.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Mike, Are you pulling my leg about the can of ether? We stopped using the open drop method in anesthesia a long time ago. Really, what would I do with it.
Well, I decided to go for it in the vette. The party was about 1 1/2 hours away. I was about half of the way there when the left front clamp down on my hardtop broke apart. I thought well it is still attached in 3 other places. I thought wrong!!!! The wind on the interstate started to lift the hardtop up. Oh my God. I almost peed my pants. It would have been OK as I was wearing black. haha
I was able to find an alternate route home so that I did not have to get back on the interstate.
Never a dull moment with a C1
Valeria

[Mike M.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

Mike, Are you pulling my leg about the can of ether? We stopped using the open drop method in anesthesia a long time ago. Really, what would I do with it.
Well, I decided to go for it in the vette. The party was about 1 1/2 hours away. I was about half of the way there when the left front clamp down on my hardtop broke apart. I thought well it is still attached in 3 other places. I thought wrong!!!! The wind on the interstate started to lift the hardtop up. Oh my God. I almost peed my pants. It would have been OK as I was wearing black. haha
I was able to find an alternate route home so that I did not have to get back on the interstate.
Never a dull moment with a C1
Valeria

wasn't pulling yer wet black-slacked leg. get a can of starting fluid at NAPA etc. remove air cleaner, open choke plate and throttle plate, and give the girl a milliseconds worth of the aerosol ether. old girl should come to life lot quicker than with gasoline, have a good day val.mike

[Christopher R.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

I used to always use ether ("starting fluid") to start my car. After all, the car was only started every 2-3 weeks, sometimes 2-3 months. Because of that, the car was hard to start. Starting with ether is instantaneous. Might not continue to run. But with ether, it'll catch on the first crank.

Then someone told me that using ether on a regular basis was bad for the car. I was told that ether did a particularly good job of washing all lubrication off the cylinder walls. Starting with ether accelerated piston ring and cylinder wall wear.

Any comments on this?

[Valeria H.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

I don't know what ether will do to a car after repetitive sprays. I hope someone can enlighten us. I can tell you it will turn your liver to jelly after repetitive inhalations. I know, I know, no one ever admits to inhaling, right Bill C.
Valeria

[John F.]

Re: Starting a C1 in cold weather

A good fully charged battery, car tuned up, standby with ether and jumper cables and you should be ready to go. I would not let the hardtop peal back. Drive slow on the back roads. A last resort coming home would be to leave the hardtop at your friends and turn the heat up on high for the ride home. Leave the car in friends garage and hitch a ride home and get car later.
John