56 Buick starts when on

[Sicvee]

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CSteve%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsoh tml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in .9in 1.0in .9in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> I have a 56 Roadmaster that I have been able to work on sporadically since I bought it in December. When I first got it, the starter would work with the ignition switch on and either depressing the gas pedal from inside or pushing the throttle link toward the firewall. But the gas was bad and the engine wouldn’t run. So I sent out the carburetor to be rebuilt. I also replaced the gas tank and blew out the fuel lines. I hooked up the carburetor again. Now the starter engages as soon as the ignition switch is on without pressing the accelerator. The engine starts and runs and the starter does not keep turning over. I would like to know what happened inside the carburetor that makes it do this. I can’t actually drive the car yet because there are no brakes. However I would like to fix this glitch or send the carburetor back to the repair man if need be.

[Aussie V8]

On the side of the carb there is a switch with 2 wires going to it. Sounds like the repair man has not put it back in correct and it's shorting out.
Unscrew the switch and gently pull out the plunger and a metal ball comes with it . Don't lose it on the ground as it may fall out if you don't catch it.
Lube the plunger lightly with petroluem jelly and put back with the plunger groove uppermost and the ball sitting in that groove.

Ken.

[Sicvee]

Thanks. I will try that. That is a beautiful car you have.

[Sicvee]

I want to follow up on this problem. I removed the switch and between the spring loaded switch part and the ball there was a 1/2" section sawed from a 3/8" bolt. Even I could tell that this was bogus. So I took it back to the carburetor guy. He said he just left that part the way he found it because he was unfamiliar with its function. I am amazed that it ever worked. But he had a warehouse full of old carburetors and we found the correct part. Since I had the carburetor off again I am painting the intake manifold and the valve covers. I am assuming it will function correctly now.