won't idle when cold

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have a 1954 hornet-When the engine is cold it will start up and run at fast idle.If you hit the accelerator and get the idle off high speed idle, the engine will begin to starve out and die. If I let it run on high idle fojr 3 or 4 minutes jr until it is warm the eangine will run OK. I did have some trash in a fuel filter I have before the fuel pump. I cleaned it real good but still have the same problem. There is no trash in the fuel filter before the carbs. I have the twin H setup.After it is warm it runs great. Help!

Comments

  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    You do not have a problem. The engine is supposed to run at fast idle when cold, then on regular idle when warm, as yours does.
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    junkcarfann wrote:
    You do not have a problem. The engine is supposed to run at fast idle when cold, then on regular idle when warm, as yours does.

    I agree with junkcarfann - sounds like it's working correctly. Do you feel the high idle is set too high - or it's taking too long to warm up?
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Indeed, is the automatic choke working at all? When you remove the air cleaner / silencer, do you see that the choke valve is shut (when the engine is cold) and when you attempt to force it open does is snap back shut?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    First, were do you live? Automatic chokes have to be set by area. In cold areas, 20 degrees or lower, your chokes have to be set one rich, up to 50 degrees, zero, anything warmer one knotch lean. Your car will start and idle 1400 to 1600 RPM's. Make sure the gasket under the choke cover is in good condition. When you let it run a minute and hit the pedal it should drop down to about 1000 and when hot drop to 450 standard or 550 automatic.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    buddy1 wrote:
    I have a 1954 hornet-When the engine is cold it will start up and run at fast idle.If you hit the accelerator and get the idle off high speed idle, the engine will begin to starve out and die. If I let it run on high idle fojr 3 or 4 minutes jr until it is warm the eangine will run OK. I did have some trash in a fuel filter I have before the fuel pump. I cleaned it real good but still have the same problem. There is no trash in the fuel filter before the carbs. I have the twin H setup.After it is warm it runs great. Help!
    I don't think I made myself clear.When the car is cold the automatic choke works the way it should,but if I put the car in drive to move forward the car bogs down and kills.Only if I let the car warm up for 3or 4 minutes will the car run without killing.Once warm the car runs OK. I live in Louisiana so it is not very cold.If I take a trip and the car sits for several hours the same problem persists.
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    There could be a number of causes, some of which are:



    1. The chokes are opening too soon.



    2. The chokes are opening too late.



    3. The accelerator pump(s) is/are not fully functioning.



    4. The cold idle speed is set too low.



    5. The timing is late (retarded).
  • rambos_ride
    rambos_ride Senior Contributor
    From the new description it sounds to me like the spring in the automatic choke is weak causing it to "disengage" before the motor is up to operating temperatures when you manually "kick it down"

    This is common for older automatic choke systems. Does anyone have a newer part # spring that would fit or an alternative automatic choke that would fit the application?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    rambos_ride wrote:
    From the new description it sounds to me like the spring in the automatic choke is weak causing it to "disengage" before the motor is up to operating temperatures when you manually "kick it down"

    This is common for older automatic choke systems. Does anyone have a newer part # spring that would fit or an alternative automatic choke that would fit the application?
    Hi-This sounds like a good place to look.The car will idle fast but not slow until it has warmed up for several minutes.It sounds like a fuel problem. Thanks for the info. buddy1
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