I just bought a 1968 Chevelle SS 396/325. The car is in great shape and mechanically it's sound, once I get it started. It is a bear to start. It cranks and cranks, but the motor won't start very easily. Last night, I cranked until the battery went dead. It's garaged and the garage is relatively warm. I last started and drove the car this past Sunday. It took a while to start and almost lost the battery. Last night, it wouldn't start.
Any suggestions on what the problem may be? It's getting plenty of gas. I haven't checked the spark, but could it be points, coil, distributor? Should I disconnect the battery cables if I plan not to start the car for a couple days or more? Help please.
Thanks,
Phil

Sounds like the choke to me. Remove the aircleaner lid when it's fairly cold outside and seee if the choke butterfly is closed. My car wouldn't start when it's cold unless the choke is working. I also have to pump the gas about 5 times before turning the key. If it doesn't start, I have to pumpm 3 more times, then it always fires. This is what I have to do after the car sits for a couple weeks/months.

did you check the timing?

Concur with Bill Rose for first actions.. I had to find the right number of gas pedal pumps in order to fire up my engine too. When it sits for a while, I need to pump the pedal about 10 times... when just overnight, one pump is all it takes.

Thanks, all. I'll try choke again. I looked at this and the butterfly appeared open. I figured a couple pumps on the gas should be enough, then I worried it was flooded. Any suggestions besides choke? The timing seems to be ok. When she runs, I don't get any misses or hesitation upon acceleration. Any other insights would be appreciated. Thanks, again.

Let me know if you can get the photo of the car at this site. Thanks
http://i116.photobucket

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/honeymooner52/th_chev68dsfrt.jpg

Can you see this?

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o21/honeymooner52/th_chev68dsfrt.jpg

Can you see this?

Yup..nice :D

Thanks, all. I'll try choke again. I looked at this and the butterfly appeared open. I figured a couple pumps on the gas should be enough, then I worried it was flooded. Any suggestions besides choke? The timing seems to be ok. When she runs, I don't get any misses or hesitation upon acceleration. Any other insights would be appreciated. Thanks, again.
When the engine is cold you want the butterfly to be closed so as to choke the engine. If the choke assembly is set up and working properly, push the pedal to the floor once and release, this closes the butterfly, then start the engine. As the engine warms up the butterfly opens up to allow max air flow to the carb. Good Luck

Nice car, I know the person who used to own it........LOL

You bought a car from Dario, and you expected it to start?:p :D

Thanks Bill, I'll remember that one.....LOL just trying to fix up as many of these 68's that nobody appreciates....
Car was at Future Classics for about 4 months, so who knows what gas, etc. was in there, or if they adjusted anything on the choke. I know that the points, plugs, wires, fuel pump and everything else is new.

Thanks, boys. You're making me nervous! LOL. Guess both of you know the place I got the car. Anyway, I think it is the choke. I got the car started for about 3 seconds last night, but couldn't keep it going. Then, I didn't have battery power to try again.

Fuel pump bad?????

Stale gas can be a problem. Glazed points can also cause trouble although with this there is no spark at all.

As a side note you shouldn't have to remove the battery cables if the car sits for a few days. However if the car sees limited driving maybe in the colder months you may want to get a trickle charger for it such as battery tender etc. I have one I bought as Sears and it works great.

You need to get some basic testing tools if you dont already have them. Any sort of a spark tester that attaches to the end of the spark plug wire is good. Using an actual spark plug rarely works if your by yourself, unless your plastic man and can bend your head around the hood, into the engine compartmen, while cranking the engine.

A fuel pressure gage would be perfect for attaching inline between the carb and the fuel pump. I only suggest this stuff if you do not have any of it.

Have you tried a shot of carb cleaner or starting fluid while someone cranks the engine?