Question on Cold Starting

Cleaned out the garage and went to start the truck. Wouldn't start, It had spark and at first tried to run but stalled, It was 0 degrees out and I left it. I hadn't had it running in about 3 weeks.

Now today its 23 degrees and the truck wouldn't start. Would Crank over. I looked and didn't see it was getting any gas. I filled the carboreutor with gas and it started up and runs fine.

Just curious about why? If it isn't getting gas when I pump the gas for starting and it is when it is running... why?

Just so you know it is a 1980 318 with a four barrel.

The new gas formulations evaporate very quickly from the float bowl vents I believe. The 440 in my 66 Coronet is the same way after sitting a couple of weeks.

Is your choke working?

Yes, It started and ran fine just by pouring gas in the carb. I didn't know if gas is sent differently when running than when stopped.

Tank empty or fuel pump dead are my two guesses.

The reason why I don't understand is once it started it ran fine for thirty minutes while I shoveled out the bed and pulled it into the garage.

I am going to see if it starts today with no problems. Can the system get that dry from sitting, that nothing is available in the fuel lines for when I pumped the gas pedal?

The gas pump works from the engine turning over right? So if I'm cranking it with the starter shouldn't it refill the lines?

What has me curious is the fact it ran fine and the only thing I did was pour gas into the carb.

For reasons unknown sometimes fuel gets syphoned back to the tank.(fully vented tank) I had a similar problem with my Carter carb and hi-volume mech. pump. Sit for a couple weeks and would have to crank the fuel line full. I know this because I tore it apart once when it sat and I knew it wouldn't start so I could confirm there was no fuel from the pump to the carb including the filter.

Must be what happened. It just started with one pump to set the choke this morning.

Next time I will check the fuel filter and see if it is full or if the starter will crank enough into it to get it to start.

What Lefty said, gas just evaporating after a period of time (some manifolds/carbs are worse than others as the eng runs hotter). Yes enough cranking will fill the bowl though fuel pumps dont draw much at cranking speed especially if the pump is worn. k.i.s.s. next time it sets for that long I'd prime the carb bowl vent (looks like the business end of a hypodermic needle) with an ounce of gas from a ketchup bottle w a tapered nozzle (another good (Moparts) tip) to save wear and tear on the starter/battery/dry eng. Just takes a minute to remove the air cleaner.