Cheapest way to get reliable starting
#2063198
04/28/16 03:23 AM
04/28/16 03:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 206 Los Angeles CA
xyxxjx
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I have 73 charger, starting it is always a bit of a lottery. It starts most of the time after a few trys but i would like it to start up effortlessly the first time. What parts would I need and how much for a b4b solution? Everything is pretty much stock with a new battery.
Also I would like to know what starting procedure is the best for my current configuration. I usually turn on the ignition and pump the gas slowly 4 times, take my foot off the gas and crank.
1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 automatic transmission. Curb weight: 3800 lbs. All stock so far.
Goal: Reliable everday driveable warmed up 400 as close to 400hp as possible, then a 470 stroker if need be.
Don't protect a feminist when the collapse comes!
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: ahy]
#2063294
04/28/16 12:04 PM
04/28/16 12:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,299 State of Fascism
52savoy
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master
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State of Fascism
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An original 400 would have a Thermoquad carb. For cold start, a single pump of the accelerator should set the choke and give it a squirt of gas (ignition off). Then give it a crank. 4 pumps would flood it.
For warm start, no pumping. Hold the throttle open a little and crank.
If you think it is flooded with too much gas, hold the throttle wide open and crank... just remember to back off as soon as it catches so the engine does not over rev.
As I remember, they were good starting engines maybe a bit prone to flooding with too many pumps.
The best/cheapest way to get it reliable is an electrical tuneup (plugs, good wires, cap rotor) and adjust the carb. If the carb is original or has not been serviced for a while there is a good chance it would benefit from rebuild or replacement with reman.
First step is the tuneup and correct starting procedure. X2.... If your having to pump more than once you are defeating the whole purpose of how cold starting was designed. Either your defeating the choke OR the carb choke linkage is misadjusted OR your motor is out of tune or ignition or fuel delivery OR all of the above. I would suggest you study the choke and associated linkage to get an understanding of how it works.
Last edited by 52savoy; 04/28/16 12:12 PM.
:Project 2025, America's elite Mein Kampf
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063328
04/28/16 01:12 PM
04/28/16 01:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,280 A gulag near you.
JohnRR
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A gulag near you.
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You need to determine the issue, next time you are out in the garage after the car has been sitting for a while open the hood, pop off the air cleaner and look down into the carb as you pump the accelerator and see if there is a pump shot, if there isn't you've found your problem, if there is then you need to look at the tune.
Here's the problem as I see it , most people didn't own these cars back in the day , or in their youth, and the only thing they have to compare things to is their new fangled FUEL INJECTED daily driver ... it's not your ... insert any of the foreign make crap boxes you daily drive here .... either step into the 21st century or sell it and buy a Honda ...
The fuel of today is formulated to be used in a high pressure fuel injected engine with a fuel system that is not vented to atmosphere. Most of us don't have the luxury/option of fuel that does not have Ethanol in it available at the pump , or even in their part of the country...
Electric fuel pump, or buy one of the comparatively low cost, self learning, throttle body type fuel injection setups currently available ...
Mainstream Media is the new Pravda
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: NANKET]
#2063377
04/28/16 02:03 PM
04/28/16 02:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
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Well, they're all there in a way. Here's what hasn't been said. On a completely cold engine, pump the gas once. That sets the choke. Meaning, with that single pump the choke flops closed. You should be able to see this happen as you look down the carb as you move the throttle linkage the first time. Setting the choke pumps that shot of gas, closes the choke and puts the carb on the fast idle cam. At this point the automatic choke takes over. As the engine warms up the choke comes off and at some point the fast idle cam moves out of the way and the engine will idle at whatever the hot idle speed is.
I have found that some of my cars started better with a few degrees more static advance. This will increase emissions so if you have to get the car checked be sure to set to factory specs before getting the check.
The other thing that comes to mind is be sure you have the idle mixture screws set for lean best idle. On most carburetors that is approximately 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated. You can look up the procedure, I am too lazy to type it.
Another approach is to unbolt and drain the carburetor, then send to Scott Smith Harms (board member who restores carburetors) for a going over. After this many years it is completely possible that something has happened to your carb either by ham-fisted previous owners, gasket shrinkage, warpage etc.
On the ignition side once you get the engine running, use the inductive pickup from a timing light on each of the plug wires. When pulling the trigger you should be able to see if the cylinder has a steady spark or if there are gaps in the sequence that would indicate misfire.
R.
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063548
04/28/16 07:29 PM
04/28/16 07:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,255 Columbus, GA
Michael Ecks
pro stock
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pro stock
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Columbus, GA
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I'm assuming electronic ignition. I had ramcharger with a starting problem. 99 times out of 100 it started fine, then once and a while it would completely refuse to fire until I either ran down the battery or gave up and tried later in the day. Turned out to be some weird intermittent problem in the ECU. Once I swapped in a new one I never had a problem again.
Give it a good tune up. Wires, cap & rotor, plugs etc. If still has a problem and has the thermoquad on it, then find a good rebuilder that knows t-quads. The bakelite bowl has a small piece attached to the bottom that is just epoxied on. They are bad to leak there resulting in a flooded engine and empty carb bowl when they sit.
Also, the Magnum engine mini starter is a good cheap upgrade that will spun the engine over much faster for easier starting. It won't fix any of the above problems, but it is a worthwhile swap once you sort out any other issues.
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts" ~ Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063554
04/28/16 07:36 PM
04/28/16 07:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 206 Los Angeles CA
xyxxjx
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Thanks for the advice. I tried pumping only once and it seems to work a little better. I belive I picked up the 4 pumps from a general article on carburated cars. Btw the carb is an afb 4 barrel.
1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 automatic transmission. Curb weight: 3800 lbs. All stock so far.
Goal: Reliable everday driveable warmed up 400 as close to 400hp as possible, then a 470 stroker if need be.
Don't protect a feminist when the collapse comes!
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: NANKET]
#2063715
04/29/16 12:23 AM
04/29/16 12:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 206 Los Angeles CA
xyxxjx
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Sounds good on,the one pump of the pedal. Did you check all the things in the previous posts dealing with the carburetor and choke? Just read you. Title again. This does not need to be expensive at all. The details are so important. The carb and choke should be ok. They were checked out by a mechanic just a few month ago. However I discovered my battery only has 11.9 volts on it with engine off, I tried driving the car for 30 min. But it was still 11.9v. The battery is only one year old, maybe it wasn't getting enough crank.
1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 automatic transmission. Curb weight: 3800 lbs. All stock so far.
Goal: Reliable everday driveable warmed up 400 as close to 400hp as possible, then a 470 stroker if need be.
Don't protect a feminist when the collapse comes!
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063720
04/29/16 12:28 AM
04/29/16 12:28 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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However I discovered my battery only has 11.9 volts on it with engine off, I tried driving the car for 30 min. But it was still 11.9v. The battery is only one year old, maybe it wasn't getting enough crank. Correct, it ain't being charged.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: OzHemi]
#2063729
04/29/16 12:37 AM
04/29/16 12:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 206 Los Angeles CA
xyxxjx
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Check the battery voltage with the engine running, if it is that low, you have an issue with the charging system it looks like. Around 12.2v engine running. I know it should be at least 12.6v
1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 automatic transmission. Curb weight: 3800 lbs. All stock so far.
Goal: Reliable everday driveable warmed up 400 as close to 400hp as possible, then a 470 stroker if need be.
Don't protect a feminist when the collapse comes!
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: OzHemi]
#2063779
04/29/16 01:45 AM
04/29/16 01:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 206 Los Angeles CA
xyxxjx
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Should be around 14 volts actually while running.. Yes, just realized it after I had posted. Would you get battery recharged at an auto store?
1973 Dodge Charger SE 400 automatic transmission. Curb weight: 3800 lbs. All stock so far.
Goal: Reliable everday driveable warmed up 400 as close to 400hp as possible, then a 470 stroker if need be.
Don't protect a feminist when the collapse comes!
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063798
04/29/16 02:20 AM
04/29/16 02:20 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,154 Its a TRAP!
DARTH V8Я
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Oh No!! I just had a moron attack!
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Its a TRAP!
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Test the volts at the alternator with the engine running also. Just sayin.
When it takes more than a sweet mullet to prove you rule at the trailer park..
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Re: Cheapest way to get reliable starting
[Re: xyxxjx]
#2063814
04/29/16 03:43 AM
04/29/16 03:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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Lincoln Nebraska
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Would you get battery recharged at an auto store? You could (tell em to slow charge it) if you dont know someone with a plug in (to house wall socket) charger that you could borrow. But first we gotta find/fix why it ain't charging before the battery gets put back in the vehicle. deep cycling can kill em
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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