Hello,

I got this car from my dad that built it up with Dual Carbs on a 394. He bought it out of a wrecking yard in 1965. I love the car but it's a bitch to start.

I have to pump the throttle 20-30 times to get it started almost every time I try to start it after it has been setting for a few weeks. There are also times when I drive it somewhere and when I go to start it up again, I think to myself, I hope it starts after pumping the throttle quite a bit.

What do you think? Could it be the fuel pump?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

There's so many variables on this situation, we need a place to start!
What brand of carbs are on it?
Are there choke plates on either?
Choke linkage? A way to set the choke?
Do you then have to get it semi warmed-up to drive it?

My first car had 12 1/2 compression and 3 X 2's, with no choke!
Real fun began with -0 weather and 50wt oil, but it always started!!
Of course, your foot would get cramps from pumping the gas!

 

It could be a lot of things.

The Fuel Pump, Air getting in the fuel lines, garbage in the Lines, Ignition wires and plugs, ect

This happened to me. It was an air leak in the gas line. You might also want to spray some Carb cleaner on the Carburetor.

 

1) I bet there is no choke. That is why you pump it 30 times.
2) I bet the jetting is not set up right. You have to keep pumping until some heat gets to the carbs.Just think of it as you, you do not operate very well until you fully wake up. Same with the car, Until it warms up it is sluggish.
3) the hard start after it is warm, is because the carbs drain down into the engine and it takes a bit to fill the carbs again and clear out the fuel in the cyl's.
You should rebuild the carbs and make sure all the galley plugs in the carbs are tight.
Check you timing and convert the points sys with an electronic conversion kit.

Gene

 

Modern day ethanol laced fuels have a higher evaporation rate than traditional leaded gas. The hard start I view as normal for my cars, now. Perhaps the solution is an auxiliary electric fuel pump?

 

I second the addition of an electric fuel pump just for priming the system. If you are pumping the gas that much to start it you better change the oil often as you are dumping a lot of raw gas in the oil pan. Not good for lubrication and could even cause an explosion! Don't ask me how I know this...

 

I used to pump the hell outa mine, while cranking, and never 'exploded' it!

Sure wish the OP would give an answer and/or respond!!