Have to prime to start

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artfulldodger

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Just bought a 65 Dart hardtop. Engine has been rebuilt and it runs great, once it is started that is. 1920 Carb has always had to be primed to start, even after a carb rebuild. There IS fuel in the bowl. ANY ideas?
 
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The Fuel going somewhere! Be careful it is not running in the engine!
 
how long between startups. minutes or hours or days or months
 
Some were bad to leak fuel into the engine through the throttle shaft bores, if I recall correctly...
 
After running the motor till warm up and you kill it. Can you take the air cleaner off and see smoke coming out of center of the carb ??
 
After running the motor till warm up and you kill it. Can you take the air cleaner off and see smoke coming out of center of the carb ??
No smoke. Kinda weird. I am in my sixties and have build carbs since I was a high school kid, don't recall any issue like this. The fuel bowl is full and it has a new accelerator pump
 
When you say "prime it" are you talking about pumping the peddle or pouring fuel into the carb
 
How long does the engine have to sit before you have to prime it to get it to start
 
No smoke. Kinda weird. I am in my sixties and have build carbs since I was a high school kid, don't recall any issue like this. The fuel bowl is full and it has a new accelerator pump
With no smoke coming out of the center of the carb that means its not leaking fuel down in the motor.
 
Is the carb tight against the intake manifold . can you actually grab a hold of the carb and not move it at all ?
 
No smoke. Kinda weird. I am in my sixties and have build carbs since I was a high school kid, don't recall any issue like this. The fuel bowl is full and it has a new accelerator pump

Do a visual on the accelerator pump shot and verify.
Do you specifically remember the accelerator pump check ball assembly being there?
Any carb with a working pump should not need fuel poured into it, or something is really obviously wrong there.
(that includes with a choke not working even)
 
Without priming, if you crank another 30 seconds will it start?

How long have you tried cranking to see if it starts (without priming)


Alan
 
Do you have the thick (heat isolation ) gasket under the carb?
 
Years ago when i got my '72 it was always diffilut ro start. Turned out to be the bimetal spring on the choke.
 
If accellerator pump works,and choke works then it should start. Swapping carb may help if that is whats wrong.
Find another mechanic,obviously carbureted engines arent his thing.
 
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