This has been bugging me for wayy too long... If my Skylark hasn't been started in less that two days - it's a real pain to get going. Multiple pumps prior to starting won't do the trick. In fact, I have to hold the accelerator down almost halfway to get her to turn over. Also, doesn't run at a higher idle upon start. Basically, I have to manually conrol the idle with the pedal until she warms up. But once she's warmed up - runs great. Hope it's a simple adjustment. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Randy, Does the choke close when the engine is cold?? The choke thermostatic coil in the intake manifold should close the choke completely over the carb throat with tension to spare. There is a stepped cam that rotates with the choke, which raises the idle speed when the choke is closed. The primary vacuum break on the passenger side of the carb, should open the choke a small amount as the engine starts. This vacuum break also controls the air valves on the secondary side of the carburetor. If the choke thermostatic coil is shot, it will not close the choke with sufficient tension to get a good cold start. If the choke vacuum break is defective, the engine will start, and then quickly load up because the vacuum break is not opening the choke. Next time you start the engine cold, pump the gas, then take the air cleaner off, and take a look at the choke operation. The problem should be readily apparent then. Hope that helps.
Larry, Thanks for the tips. WhenI followed your instructions, everything looked cool with the cam - but no change. With a few pumps - it would start, then die after a second or two. Then I gave the Main Vacuum Diaphram Break rod a tug or two and tried it again and it started a fast idle - no prob. Problem is - I immediately got white smoke coming out the driver's side exhaust, then both. It's cold outside, but it shouldn't kicking THAT much smoke. Think I have a bad main Vacuum?
BTW - smoke reduces drastically as it warms up. After about 10 minutes - when she gets up around 160 - exhaust is almost normal for a pre-smog car on a cold night.
