Every morning my 70 chevelle has a bit of trouble starting and will often times die right after it turns over. I know that this can be indicative of a vacuum leak but after the first start of the day it will never do it again until the next morning. Is that possible that cold-have a leak hot-no leak? or does it mean something else. Sometimes I think it might be something about a worm timing chain. I don't really have the time to do it right now but one day I'll pull it. Then guy I got the car from a year ago said the engine was just rebuilt so I don't think its a chain thing. WEll any ideas or info on the symptoms of a vacuum leak thanks.

Its a 350, 600cfm edelbrock carb, performer intake, real mild cam, th350 with a little above stock converter, 2.52 gears.

sounds like your choke is too lean.Is it electronic?

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Yeah, its an electric choke. I hadn't really thought of that. Sounds really obvious now. I'll check it out. Any tips on how to make sure its doing the right thing

Loosen the three screws holding the choke cap before starting the car. Start the car and then turn the cap right or left untill you get a rise of 1500 rpm. This would be the best warmup rpm.

Before you do anything, before you even start the engine for the first time in the morning, pop the air cleaner lid and work the throttle linkage a couple of times by hand to set the choke. See if it closes fully or if it even moves. Let us know what you find.

Remember, it's important to do this when the engine is stone cold.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 10-18-2002).]

oops


[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 10-18-2002).]

sorry It took me awhile to get back to this. I've been busy. I popped the lid and the choke was almost all the way closed. I worked the throttle and it would only change when full throttle was applied and then it would open completely. I Started the car with it in the almost closed position and it died like normal. The second try i gave it some more gas and it stayed on this time. It was very lopy and wanted to die, like normal. I got out and held the choke plate (still closed) all the way open and all that stuff dissapeared almost immediately. I think that means it is the choke that is causing this. So the follow up question is what can I do to make it work correctly?

With the choke closed, and with the engine cold and with the air cleaner lid removed, start the engine and see if the choke opens up just a bit. It should pull open about a 1/4 of an inch, though it varies from carb to carb, engine to engine (depends on the specs). If not, the choke pull-off is bad. The choke pull-off is a small vacuum cannister that's mounted on the passenger's side of the carb and opens the choke slightly so the engine can enough air for combustion. Pop the vacuum hose off the cannister and connect a hand held pump to it. Pump it up and see if it builds and holds vacuum, and if the linkage moves. If not, replace it. Any decent auto supply store can match it up.

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 10-22-2002).]