I have a starting problem

[Harvey Tank]

I am all finished with my P20 project. went for a road test today everything was fine. 55 lbs. oil pressure, temp. was 160 deg. I pulled into my drive way and turned off the ignition. I came out 10 min. later to move the car inside the shop, and it wouldn't start. I checked spark it was ok. whats up?

I did notice that after the 10 min. temp.gauge read about 200. do I have vapor lock? what should I look for?

I will post photos later. I am getting ready for graffiti night friday.

[55 Fargo]

Witha 160 t/stat you will probabl;y run at 165 to 180 on warm days driving under load.

Once you turn of the engine, your engine temp will rise, as you saw on your gauge.

Yes you may have had a vapor lock, or your float is a bit too high or something.

When this happens, hold gas pedal to floor, crank engine, it should fire.

If after the engine is now cooled down , and still won't start, you may have to prime the carb with gas.

Have you got it started yet?

Make sure you have decent battery cables, good grounds, and a known reliable ignition coil.....

Edited July 9, 2009 by Rockwood

[Frank Blackstone]

If it is vapor lock it will clear itself in a few minutes and start ok. There are many ingenious remedies if it is vapor lock. What was your starting procedure when it was warm? Did you pump the throttle and possibly flood it? Full throttle while cranking will clear a flooded carb.

[Harvey Tank]

Battery is good I have a group 2 6 volt with 00 welding cable, ground right to the starter bolt. I have no voltage problem. I will try starting it in the morning when its cold. if it starts then I suspect vapor lock. how can I remedy it?

I don't have a heat sheld over the fuel pump. I know that is a must. the ambient temperature here is only about 78 deg. today.

Thanks guys

[dezeldoc]

It might have boiled the fuel over into the intake and flooded the motor, before you start it pull a few spark plugs and see if they are wet.

[greg g]

set your float level a bit lower than factory spec. and as mentioned hot start with the gas pedal at WOT while cranking the starter. Is your fuel pump heat shield installed.

Please disuade your self of notions of vapor lock. If you have bled your brakes the notion disproves itself.

Check for an air leak in the fuel line between the tank and the fuel pump.

[eric wissing]

I would also check the heat bypass. Eric

[JIPJOBXX]

Put some ice around your coil the next time it won't start and you might find out that its your coil. Coil can spark when cold but if there hot they won't. The cool test really worked for me as I found out that my coil was the problem when starting my car when it was hot.