Don't want to hijack the thread but you mentioned rebuilding the carb which made me wonder what you are doing about the automatic choke? My 79's with the 350 and 4 barrel has probably been more of an aggravation than anything else since I bought it in 1982 so wondered if anyone has any good suggestions. I think I have replaced everything, but you have to keep pumping the gas to crank it and even afterwards until it warms up some. Just doesn't control like it should. Would love to have EFI to help this as well as for gas mileage benefit but way too expensive to retrofit.

 

Have you set the electric choke to work properly? It sure sounds like the choke isn't closed if you have to do that when it's cold.
You can check the choke by taking the air cleaner off when the engine is cold. Turn the key on, press the pedal to the floor once, shut the key off and look at the choke. If the choke isn't fully closed it's out of adjustment, or not working. Simply loosen the 3 screws on the choke housing, open the throttle slightly, and turn the housing slowly until it just closes. Release the throttle, tighten the screws, and it should be set to go.

 

Hey Chaos, I just came back from your neck of the woods. Stayed in Raynham, Ate in Mattapoisett( Mattapoisett Chowda House is great!) And Ate in Fall Riv. Nothing beats New England Seafood!!! Go Pats!!!

 

Appreciate BB427's comments. The choke sets the way way you described (like the manual says) and is fully closed when you set it, but it just won't start like that even though the starter turns it good. You have to pump the gas pedal to get it to start and initially to keep it running so clearly something isn't working right. I have previously changed the fuel pump and fuel filter thinking it might not be getting all the gas it should but that didn't help. Maybe it is something else internal to the carb that is limiting the gas flow??

 

Is the choke engaging the fast idle linkage?

 

Could be time for a rebuild, or a new carb. Possibly the idle circuit inside the carb has some crud in it.

 

As far as I know my carb has a manual choke but i think the cable is jammed bc I cant get it to move. I get the car started by pumping the pedal and holding it a bit till it warms up thats something to tackle down the road a bit.

 

And rydeer, had you gone down 495 to exit 2 youd have been about 4 min from my house the next time youre down here come down route 6 to The Gateway Tavern for food, they have great seafood.

 

Exit 2.... I lived exit 4 for 17 years.... I ate 28 and 6 forever.. Arrested in Bourne etc.. Good times......Brings Me back!

 

If the cable is one of those with the spiral steel wrap outside it's probably rusted good. You can spray some good penetrant all down the length of the outter sheath and it should break loose after it sits awhile.