cold 390 starting problems
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From: Lewiston, Id
cold 390 starting problems
Hey guys, i have a 71 390 and its not running right. When it starts getting cold (less than 20 degreese) my 390 will not start. It turns over just fine, but it wont fire up and run. I went with a friend to a girls basketball game last week. It was snowing like crazy and a little over a 2 hour drive. It ran fine up there, but after it sat in the 15 degree weather for 3 hours, it wouldnt start at all. I got somebody to pull start me, and it then fired up just fine. On the way home it didnt seem to have much of any power. It seemed that when the secondaries opened up that it just started to sputter and lose power. It would also die at an idle unless i pulled the choke out. The pickup ran fine when it was above freezing, but below it just dosent wanna run right. Is this a carb problem, or something else? Sorry about the long write up, i just figured id cover everything the first time around 
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From: Lewiston, Id
yes i have a 4bbl. Not sure what kind, it dosent seem to be an edelbrock or anything. I have some numbers off of it. They are 96055 and 3003 on the left bottom front corner, and WUSA on top middle right. Im guessing the Wusa is just where it was made (the U.S.A.) If anybody knows what carb that is and how to adjust it id appreciate it. There is two set screws on the front of the carb, i dont know what either does. And which way would i need to adjust the timing? (OH by the way, thanks for the help)
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You sure your automatic choke isn't sticking in the freezing temperature? If your familiar with it, pull it a part and clean er up. You may have some corrosion in there. Then again, come to think of it, after a 3 hour drive back it seems as thou it would de-thaw. Worth a shot thou....
Mike
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Real trucks don't wear bow ties on the grill!
Mike
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Real trucks don't wear bow ties on the grill!
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From: washington
62_F_R I'm in WA state, the humidity can be somewhat high here most any time of year. Not knowing your situation, I might suspect carburater freezing. If that's a possibility for you try shutting down for a few minutes (maby on a steep hill) the engine heat will thaw the carb and usually it will stay good. That's what the snorkle on the a/cl is for, most are gone or the door doesn't work. This will not effect the starting as it's a wind chill factor in the carb. Do you have moisture in the gas? Check the f/filter can.
On your starting problem, did the engine seem to crank as fast as usual? In that temp a battery or connections in poor shape could be a concern. An aging tune up wouldn't help.
On your starting problem, did the engine seem to crank as fast as usual? In that temp a battery or connections in poor shape could be a concern. An aging tune up wouldn't help.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
sounds like you have a original holley 4160 carb pull it and rebuild it about 25.00 i too have a manual choke it was aftermarket and takes some getting used too don't pull it alll the way out to completly close the choke you want about a 1/4'' gap between the choke and the air horn
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From: washington
That's great if it cures the problem. Performance will suffer some running that way after the engine is hot, more so when the weather warms. If that helps keep an eye out for a good one. There should be a small spring to pull it shut cold. It needs to be the right one. Later.
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From: Lewiston, Id
It sounds as if its gonna be cold here for a while, and the door didnt cure the problem. It was just one step to make it better. I might be looking at gettin a 600 CFM edelbrock. Does anybody know what the 2 adjustment screws do if it is the stock holley? Also, It dosent seem to matter how warm it is, it dosent run right. I imagine that after a 2 hour trip that it would have thawed out.
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