Well just when the mav seems to be running well. Today I drove about 100 miles round trip in the mav and when I stopped on the way home to get something to eat and tried to start the car again it didn't want to crank over (made the whaaa, whaaa, whaaa, sound) and when it did and I shifted into gear it died. It did this several times before I could get it going. It has only done this one other time and that was when the idle on the carb was down too low and we fixed that in a jiff. What could be causing this? My thought is since the car is trying to start too hard it's dumping fuel into the carb and flooding it out? Am I way off? I guess I should also mention that it was almost a 100 degrees here in sunny so. cal and the mav has always had issues with starting when it's hot out. One last piece of info. since I got the new elect. distributor and MSD box the car has been a little hard to start, is this common? Thanks Jeri*
Mine does the same thing Jeri, My maverick does the same thing whenever the water temp is up around 190+. Once I get it going though, I can drive it decent and cool it down some. Once the engine cools off a little, it will fire right up every time. Something about the heat, I guess. Luck to you, Preston (Country)
Thats what I was thinking. 2nd thought was the points getting to hot and not firing,( I had that problem years ago) but then she said MSD, but with my car(38* lock-out) it starts better hot than cold.
Start Probs Have a few ideas on it, depending on carb used sometimes at very high underhood temps the fuel will actualy boil in the bowls. A good carb insulator can help sometimes. Timing is also a factor but one thing I found on our Mav's with headers is that the starter is so close to them that it will cause a dragging on the armature and fields slowing the cranking speed when very hot. A smaller ministarter will cure that as well as gear reduction quick cranking capabilities at any temp. Have made heat shields for stock starters but not as effective. Vapor lock is another angle but not likely on the newer fuel pumps etc. Could insulate your fuel line from the pump to the carb also, will help year round anyway. As a last resort you could open the hood at each prolonged stop and vent some heat out, not good for theft reasons though.
Me too.. My cleveland has the exact same problem. I have tried about everything except the starter. (re-tarded timing, insulated fuel line, does not have headers, etc..) I think I would start by getting a smaller starter or heat shield for existing one if I were you. Good Luck.
thanks guys for the ideas. I think I need to replace the starter cause it is the only thing under the hood that hasn't been replaced yet. Also I know I need to retard the timing a few degrees cause when it's hot out and I'm going up a hill (pressure on the engine) it pings/knocks a little but on the down hill it's fine. It only does this when it's hot though. Around town it's fine. As for the mini-starter, is it in addition to or instead of. If it's in addition too where on earth would you put it? Thanks again. Jeri
yes it does and it does start better when cold. In fact today the car wouldn't turn over at all and after checking the battery cables we noticed that the negative cable was loose and the boyfriend tried to tighten it and was in fact loosing it. I then fixed it and what do you know it started right up. Jeesh, see what happens when you let boys do stuff. Just kidding. Jeri*
That loose ground can be a major improvement on starting once corrected. I agree with all above, you have some carb percolation and some timing issues to address. I have MSD ignition on one of my cars, and since converting to it from points, it starts slower once warmed up. Now this will make me sound like an old timer (well I guess it fits) but nothing starts better or quicker for me than my cars that still have points. Model A starts instantly, 60 Pontiac starts instantly and especially after they have warmed up. I just do a quick wrist snap and they are running. Modern cars have to pressure the fuel and who knows what else to come to life. Now I am not complaining about the newer technology as I think it is great. Just an observation of a difference of era's. Dan
Dan, Try starting a hybrid car no starter at all turn key and engine just starts. Kinda neat no starter wine but a pain in the ass to put a clutch in one......later
What if a Maverick is a very hard starter from a cold engine? I have my 76 that it takes 10 key turns before it cranks over. I'm thinking that the choke plate is not closing properly. Does a 76 -250 cid have an electric choke? If the choke plate is not moving is that something an amature can fix?
