Problems Starting -- Fuel Pump Switch?

[smk]

Hi all,

New BDR owner (bear with me), bought a month ago in Southern CA and brought up to Bay Area. Ever since driving it up, I've been having a hard time getting the thing to reliably start. Never starts the first attempt, and it's hit or miss the second attempt after pumping the gas a couple of times -- it's starting to feel a lot more like an art than a science.

Any tips on where I should start troubleshooting? Should the fuel pump switch always be on? Does power have to be enabled for a certain amount of time before attempting to start?

Thanks!

[madmaxx]

IF you have an electric fuel pump then YES. The problem I imagine you are having is the POS electric fuel pump is loosing it prime due to where it is mounted or the way the fuel line is run. They are noisy so you will hear it run. It is the stupidest thing to have on a carburated car but now that you have it is easier to make it work than convert. First is keep the tank full this will ensure it wont loose it prime, once the engine is running it will maintain it prime. I imagine in the end if you keep the tank at least half full your problems will go away. If you are driving you can run to a 1/4 refuel and it wont loose it prime, it is when it sits for a couple days it looses it. If it does you can disconnect at the carb and turn on the fuel pump and let it bleed into a cup. Hot engines and gasoline are never a good combination so be carefull.

[madmaxx]

I see you have a roush, I would be shocked if it has an electric fuel pump, the engines come delivered with a mechanical. If all that was done was the mechanical was removed the a plate installed get a mechanical installed and remove the pos electrical. The cam will already have the fuel pump ecentric on it so it will be very easy.

[Blittleton]

smk,

If you have some experience with vacuum gauge, hook it up and see how many inches of vacuum you have. Check to see if you have any vacuum leaks, tighten down your carb. I have seen these come loose and cause a major vacuum leak. If you don't, what are you registering on the vacuum gauge? This is a good place to start. If you don't have a gauge or don't have much knowledge on carbs. I would suggest take it somewhere that does. Do you have any off idle stumble? Do you have a stumble in 3rd or 4th gear on acceleration?

Bill

[JUS BIT]

Most likely you have a mechanical pump mounted on the lower drivers front side of the motor if you have a Roush. Just follow the fuel lines from the carb.

You may also want to check to make sure that the fuel filter is cleaned out or replaced, especially after sitting for a bit. It could be clogging the pump or the floats.

Next, I check the float levels on both sides of the carb. If its a Holley, then they should be right at the bottom of the sight window. Check Holley website for more details on how to do this.

It may be possible that you have some trash in the carb. If thats the case, you'll need to remove the bowls and metering blocks, clean and reassemble.

Best luck, hopefully you will get it all back up and running good soon...

James

[cbreez]

If you have an electric or mechanical one, it's not likely that is causing a start up problem. I have started and even driven my car short distances not realizing that I had forgotten to turn the pump on! There should be enough fuel in the carb and lines for it to run briefly even with the pump off. Look in another area.

[xena2006]

Had the same problem with my BDR. Have a 347 with electric choke. I had to adjust choke spring. I need to pump gas pedal only when car is cold. Warm starts are start button only.

[Gatorac]

Is this a cold start issue or a restart issue?