Greetings. I'm new to this, so please be gentle. A few weeks ago I bought a '71 cutlass supreme convertible. I am the 2nd owner and it even has the original window sticker and protect-o-plate. Everything is original (even the spare tire), not much rust either. I got REAL lucky in that regard.
She does have some other issues though.
The one that I am battling right now is that she does not like a cold start. If it has not been ran for a day or two, it will just crank and crank. No slow down, it's not the battery or starter, just cranking like she is not getting any fuel. Usually at this point I spray some ether into the carb and she starts right up. Once the engine is running and warm, I have no problem restarting it for the rest of the day. It is only after she has been sitting. I changed the spark plugs and coil (no joy).
Looking for some options. Any help would be appreciated and I hate keeping a can of spray start in the trunk. It's kind of embarrassing.

One last thing...anyone have a line on a grille for a '71 cutlass supreme? All I seem to find are 442 grilles.

 

Greetings. I'm new to this, so please be gentle. A few weeks ago I bought a '71 cutlass supreme convertible. I am the 2nd owner and it even has the original window sticker and protect-o-plate. Everything is original (even the spare tire), not much rust either. She does have some other issues though.
The one that I am battling right now is that she does not like a cold start. If it has not been ran for a day or two, it will just crank and crank. No slow down, it's not the battery or starter, just cranking like she is not getting any fuel. Usually at this point I spray some ether into the carb and she starts right up. Once the engine is running and warm, I have no problem restarting it for the rest of the day. It is only after she has been sitting. I changed the spark plugs and coil (no joy).
Looking for some options. Any help would be appreciated and I hate keeping a can of spray start in the trunk. It's kind of embarrassing.

One last thing...anyone have a line on a grille for a '71 cutlass supreme? All I seem to find are 442 grilles.

 

Your choke is not closing or your carb is losing fuel while sitting. Not an ignition problem. After sitting, before attempting start, remove air cleaner, floor and release gas pedal. Is choke closed?
If yes, hold open choke, while looking into carb, pull throttle linkage and watch for gas squirting into carb. from nozzles in carb.
Reply with what you found

 

I believe fusick has the grill unless you want OE

As for the cold start I would check and see if you are getting fuel to the carb ?

It could be leaking back so it takes a min to get it primed up to run ?
Does it fire up if you prime first with no cranking ?

Also check the fuel lines and the base of the carb around the gaskets these tend to leak

 

Thanks for the info. It might take me awhile to get back to you though. I got called in to work a few hours ago and will be stuck here for about 6-8 hours more.

 

Thanks. I'll take a look as soon as I get off work.

 

It was the accelerator pump. Thanks for the help.