Hard start

Unknown

The '54 Hornet is running great....it starts great when cold and runs great when warm. If I turn the car off to run in the parts store or fill up with gas, it will crank right up without my foot on the gas. If I go somewhere for 30 minutes or so...it's hard to start....I can put the accelerator to the floor and it will start, but it has to crank a little longer than usual. I have new Pertronix and a new coil. Any suggestions? thanks, Tommy T.

Unknown

Don't drive it for more than 29 minutes at a time. Seriously, what happens if you drive for well more than 30 minutes?

Unknown

Sounds like your carburetor is 'percolating' hot fuel boils over and spills down the carb throat when it sits for more than a couple minutes. check the bowl vent on the carb if it has one. float level may also be set too high for todays lighter fuels. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

Tommy; I think Steve could be right. It could also be your fuel pump leaking back and siphoning the fuel out of the bowl but it sounds more like a flooded condition from the fuel leaking into the intake after it sits for awhile. My 55 was doing the same thing before I rebuilt the carbs, if you touched the throttte after it was warmed up it would flood, after it cooled down it would start right up again. Or if I didn't touch the throttle it would fire right away. Check your anti percolator on top of the bowl and see if the leather gasket is rotted or hard.



Harry

[Deleted User]

How 'bout an electric fuel pump.

[Deleted User]

I believe that the answer has been posted ... the carb is perculating fuel and until it gets enough replacement fuel it will be.. hard to start... check the leather seals in the carbs vent caps if these seals are deteriorated they can be a contributing cause that creates to condtions you describe.

Unknown

I'll check those seals. My Brother was thinking choke adjustment...I messed with the chokes, but no change. I did purchase a Carter electric fuel pump, but the car has been running so good, I never installed it. If those seals are bad...are they readily available? Thanks for ALL the help...I really do appreciate it! Tommy T

[Deleted User]

Tommy.... actually they maybe available...your best bet is to get a small piece of soft leather and make your own... they are the size of a worn down pencil eraser. You can make the punch to cut them using the metal eraser holder from a #2 wooden pencil... just use a light tool to make the cuts.... good luck...