Okay so i bought a 78 dodge 3/4 ton for my winter vehicle. I have my camaro totally striped down. We are just getting our first snow here in illinois and the dam thing just wont start in the cold. For 18 i think im about as knowledgeable as i can be about cars but this is my first non fuel injected. Any tips tricks or things worth replacing to help? 5.9 4 barrel eldelbrock electric choke new plugs, starter, alternator, battery is good. Itd almost seem easier to re assemble my car haha. Thanks guys

 

check the basics, spark? fuel? spark,,, pull a plug wire off a spark plug and stick a screw driver in there and hold close to a ground while someone turns the car over. should get spark between the screwdriver and ground. fuel,,, dump a little gas in the carb, if it starts and runs for a sec then there is a fuel problem.

 

Good chance the choke may not be set right, what carb do you have? Also, since you're used to fuel injection, there's a totally different procedure for starting a carbureted engine. Before turning the key, you need to pump the gas pedal to the floor at least two times. That sets the choke (if it's working) and also primes the carb. If two pumps doesn't do it, try more. All cars are different and have their own quirks. My Jeep Wrangler for instance likes almost a half a dozen pumps in the cold mornings.

 

I have checked for spark and it will start up ok if its above 40. Im going to look into having the carb adjusted and checked out since i don't know anything about them. Also just at random it will die on me mostly when im off roading but sometimes with normal driving. It always starts back up first turn right after....In your opinions is auto or Manuel choke better?

 

Automatic choke is fine as long as it's set and working right. Usually guys convert to a manual choke when they don't know how, or can't fix the auto choke.

 

haha, time to head over the the "Dodgy" forums... LOL