[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

I am a little perplexed, have a new small block that is starting, but after quite a few cranks, and sometimes a little starting fluid. Once started it runs fine - good power, torque etc. Even when warmed up after running for a while - same conditions - starts after a lot of turning over and sometimes a little starting fluid. It has good gas, new carb (street demon), accel electrinic ignition, and msd coil. engine is new so are the plugs???

Any suggestions as to where to start trouble shooting?

 

[Highway Star]

Where is the timing? What kind of shape in the ignition wiring in?

 

[DONTWANT2]

Maybe a carburetor issue? Gas leakdown after shutting down then having to refill the bowls and get gas to the cylinders. Maybe after its been off a while look in the top of the carb and pump it a few times to see if your getting gas right away.

 

[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

Update: Issue is in the ignition system. I checked volts at the coil and it is about 10v during cranking. I checked spark at cranking and nothing, Not until I let off the key (disengage the starter), that there seems to be a spark - and only intermittently - about every tries. So no spark at start-up however once car is running it seems to be fine. Dist is an older Accel magnetic type. Any ideas?

 

[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

Any ideas as to why I wouldloose spark during cranking?

 

[Highway Star]

Points system? HEI?

 

[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

It is a accel - electronic distributor - magnetic type

 

[Highway Star]

This sounds like a wiring issue. The old points style ignition coil wire (covered with a fabric/cotton sleeve) carries lighter voltage during cranking. I am pretty sure that you need to run a new wire from the starter to the coil, to make sure that the coil is getting enough juice during cranking.

I could be wrong. There are lots of threads on this here at TC. Maybe just reading some old discussions on this will help you out.

 

[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

I know the original wiring had a wire from the starter that boosted the distributor. Is thius necessary, or could it be the problem? The coil is getting the same voltage as the battery has while cranking?

 

[gulfcoastspeedncustom]

Ok, so the resistor wire was exchanged for a normal resistance wire of the same gauge and the results are the same - any ideas?

 

[Schurkey]

Ok, so the resistor wire was exchanged for a normal resistance wire of the same gauge and the results are the same - any ideas?

1. What is open circuit voltage of the battery? (Should be 12.6--12.7. 12.5 is 1/4 discharged, 12.2 is HALF-DEAD)

2. WHEN CRANKING the engine, battery voltage and coil voltage is about 10V? Seems low, but not low enough to cause a problem. Anything over 9.6 volts should be OK--unless that aftermarket distributor has low-voltage issues. Points or HEI would work fine at 9.6 during cranking.

3. What is the voltage at the IGN terminal of the fuse box when the engine is running? (Should be within 1/4 volt of alternator voltage, but often is not due to old wires and corroded connections.)

4. Do you have the wire from the "R" TERMINAL on starter solenoid to the coil?

 

[gene1964]

sounds like to much timing be sure to get 12 volts as some have a resistance wire built into the harness that cut voltage in the run mode.

 

[Zane]

Do you have your block grounding strap on?

 

[71 SS El Camino]

I had similar starting issues. I went to a 0 gage battery wires. The starter even cranks a lot stronger. This prevents voltage drop while starting.