<VV> Long crank times after "rest"

[Brent Covey]

Prime suspect is the choke and Vacuum Break setting-

Chokes must snap TIGHTLY closed when set and the vacuum bellows must be set
perfectly to open the choke just enough when the engine catches that it
doesnt load up on gas. This adjustment is almost always wrong, and whats in
the book is just a guideline, you have to set it up on the car- even
altitude effects the neccessary setting. The choke fast idle setting needs
to be perfect too- on the high step with choke on, and pulled off it two
steps when the vacuum break opens.

Whats supposed to happen is you stomp the gas once to the floor (or twice
under -15F) release the gas and turn the key and the engine starts almost
immediately. If there is ANY fuel in the float bowls (which there should be,
it has nowhere to escape very quickly, should last about a month) the car
will start perfectly in temperatures down to -45 or so if the engine can
crank even very weakly.

The usual when they wont start with the first touch of the key is the chokes
arent set tight enough, the fast idle isnt riding the cam, or the vacuum
break is pulling the choke off and too far. The first second or two the
engines running will very quickly pull gas from the pump/tank. If the cars
been running within 30 days it should always start first try without
touching the pedal after the chokes are set once by flooring the
accelerator.If the fast idle isnt set for high enough RPM or ignition
timings very late they start poorly as well.

Most people do not have the chokes set to close anywhere near tight enough
and havent co-ordinated the vacuum break adjustment with the fast idle cam,
and get either flooding or an engine that needs you to stab the gas a lot to
keep it running cold.

A fuel return line like turbos and a/c and AIR cars have will significantly
help preserve the pump life by dissapating pressure when the car is shut off
and not allowing diaphragm damage from holding high pressures in a parked
car. It also usually improves the ability of the car to draw fuel fro the
tank quickly when its been standing around for months.

Good luck, I'm sure small changes will have a large positive impact,
Brent Covey
Vancouver BC