I just recently purchased my first Muscle Car and have a few questions.

I have a 454 30 over 300 Stall with Edelbrock Thunder series 800 CFM with electric choke, Howards Cam int. 575 exh. 575.

My questions are:

1. If I am at a dead stop or driving I have a little hesitation if I out my foot into it once past the hesitation it really goes but I was concerned what this could be.

2. When starting the car it seem like I really need to crank it and pump the gas to get it started. It this normal? Or does it sound like a possible carb. issue. (do I really need the electric choke?)

Any help would be great!!

Couple things:

First, the hesitation is typically caused by two things - timing not advanced far enough, and/or carb not delivering enough of an immediate shot of gas from the accelerator pump circuit.

You MUST get the timing done first - and that doesn't mean "it's OK because..." - it means check it with a timing light, make sure it is at 18° initial at idle with the vacuum advance can plugged. It can be more if your total timing is limited, but that is likely not something to think about.

If your timing is at 18° initial, then it's one of two probable things on the carb - the shooter number needs to be increased (the nozzle thing in the middle of the carb) or your pump cam needs to be changed. Both are extraordinarily simple changes.

The starting could be your gas leaking out of the carb - does it do this all the time, or only when cold, or only after sitting for a few days? Might be a simple choke adjustment, could be a couple different things.

Also. What distributor are you running, how much vacuum at idle and what vacuum advance can is in it, if any. Read "Timing 101" by John Hinckley. If this is your first musclecar it's a must read. And John Hinckley's knowledge within the auto industry is priceless. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=189195