Holley carb starting technique?

[Nambo]

Now its taxed, took it for its first trip out today.
One thing I notice, I heat the engine up with its Kenlowe engine pre-heater, turn the key and its instantly running, no choke or needing to touch the throttle.
However, after having run the car, and parked up for a while so still warm engine, it takes some starting.
You guys with the Holley carb, do you find this the case and do you start it differently when the engine is hot, maybe giving the throttle a push to squirt some fuel in or something?
I have had this carb on for years but must have forgotten the best way.

Pete

[stagwingnut]

Hello Peter , I find when the engine is warm, depressing the happy pedal about 1 inch down whilst cranking does it fine for me ! Rgds Graham

[wilf]

My technique for this was - two pumps of the throttle then hold it just cracked open and start.

I never used a choke, manual or electric. But I did run a "fast idle" control cable for very cold starts. With your pre heater, doubt you will need one.

[flying farmer]

When I had a Holley on my car stagwingnuts technique worked for me. If you look at the top of a Holley carb on a hot engine with the air filter removed you can see the vapour from the hot petrol streaming out of the float chamber breathers and dropping into the venturies.

Being heavier than air the vapour displaces all the air in the manifold leading to a rich mixture hence its reluctance to start, and the need to give it a bit of throttle to provide more air.

Avoid pressing the throttle too far as it operates the accelerator pump and makes the situation worse.

For cold starts one pump of the pedal worked fine, and my Holley had no choke fitted, but it was a while before it could be left to idle

Neil

[Nambo]

Thanks guys.

Have any of you changed the ramp for the accelerator pump?
Looking at my fuel/air ratio meter when I put my foot down a bit, it shows quite rich and looking at the amount of fuel that gets squirted in when I operate the pump manually, Iam not surprised so Iam wondering if a milder ramp would work better and save me money!


Pete

[mjheathcote]

I removed the electric choke on mine when new, and fitted the manual choke, however not connected.
When cold, three pumps on the throttle and she's off. (Like starting a non fuel injected inboard power boat with an american V6 or v8!)
When warm, as said, slight throttle depression only, and she's off.

[mike@thenook]

Thanks guys.

Have any of you changed the ramp for the accelerator pump?
Looking at my fuel/air ratio meter when I put my foot down a bit, it shows quite rich and looking at the amount of fuel that gets squirted in when I operate the pump manually, Iam not surprised so Iam wondering if a milder ramp would work better and save me money!


Pete

Pete,
Do you know what jets you are running? mine had Rover ones (51) and now the correct ones (48) which made a big difference - never changed anything else and I get 26 mpg now

Cheers

[Nambo]

Pete,
Do you know what jets you are running? mine had Rover ones (51) and now the correct ones (48) which made a big difference - never changed anything else and I get 26 mpg now

Cheers

What I intend to do is see what the readings on my meter are on a run where I can hold the throttle steady, I figure if the readings are about right it will be best not to change the jets.
I've only been 22 miles since the MOT and have noticed when I put my foot down how rich it gets, yet at other times the reading is about rich, even on the lean side, so thats why I'm thinking the accelerator pump is pumping more gas than is required.

Pete

[flying farmer]

Yes you can change the pump cam, Holley do a kit of different profiles and it is just a matter of picking one with less lift, use the lowest lift one you can get without getting a flat spot when you open the throttle.

Neil

[Dylan]

I use the stagwingnuts technique too when warm.

Have a manual choke which I use half way when cold, with 1 or 2 pumps of the throttle first. Once fired I back the choke mostly down, as I understood the first bit of choke was just a fast idle anyway. After a mile I can take the choke off altogether
Dylan

[Stagdad]

Thanks guys.

Have any of you changed the ramp for the accelerator pump?
Looking at my fuel/air ratio meter when I put my foot down a bit, it shows quite rich and looking at the amount of fuel that gets squirted in when I operate the pump manually, Iam not surprised so Iam wondering if a milder ramp would work better and save me money!


Pete

I changed the actual pump jet size to compensate for the 48 jets which gave a lean flat spot but the cam is another option. That the thing with a Holley there are so many things that you can change, jets ,pump jets,power valves,pump cams.
cheers Steve

[73stagman]

I know mines slightly different (Rover V8 4 barrel edelbrock) but it can be a bit reluctant to start when really cold. One pump on the loud pedal then half choke and throttle then half open and it starts pretty much every time. (If I give it more gas it pops back through the carb. scared the life out of me a few times until I adjusted things (timing and mixture) now it doesnt do that so much!). Once its running and settled to a fast idle I push the choke in almost all the way leave it for a few minutes, set off up the road and in a few hundred yards push the choke fully in.

[mike@thenook]

I changed the actual pump jet size to compensate for the 48 jets which gave a lean flat spot but the cam is another option. That the thing with a Holley there are so many things that you can change, jets ,pump jets,power valves,pump cams.
cheers Steve

Steve do remember which pump jet size you used?
Be interested to see how that compares with what I have now

Cheers

Mike

[Nambo]

I changed the actual pump jet size to compensate for the 48 jets which gave a lean flat spot but the cam is another option. That the thing with a Holley there are so many things that you can change, jets ,pump jets,power valves,pump cams.
cheers Steve

Thats interesting, I didnt realise the pump had its own jet, how are they changed?

[Stagdad]

Steve do remember which pump jet size you used?
Be interested to see how that compares with what I have now

Cheers

Mike

55 or 60 rings a bell but it was a while ago and my memory ain't what it used to be.does that sound about right?