"Proper Starting procedure" for Squarebody

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thecantaloupeman

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Shoot, most people don't even understand the correct starting procedure for a fuel injected vehicle (yes, there is one), let alone a carb'd one!
What is it for a fuel injected car?

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TerryRH

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What is it for a fuel injected car?

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Turn the key to run > Wait for the fuel pump to prime (many manuals say allow the dash lights to cycle off for time reference if you can't hear the pump) > Turn key to 'start' until vehicle starts then release

This changes on many TBW GM vehicles starting about 2004 or so that self crank, so on these, instead of holding the key in the 'start' position until the vehicle starts, you bump the key to 'start' and let it go. Even if the vehicle does not start right away (e.g. bad fuel pump; low battery), it will continue to crank until it starts, or a predetermined period of time before quitting - in which case you bump the key to start again, and it will again crank for a predetermined period of time.

Some other vehicles have adopted this as well, but I cannot remember them off the top of my head.
 
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73c20jim

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I had no idea it is this complicated to start a car.

I always pump once then turn key and push pedal down at same time.
 

CSFJ

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I always thought that if you need to consult the manual on how to start it, you probably shouldn't be driving.
 

82sbshortbed

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At first I thought this is gay. Then it made me question my starting procedure Lol

Usually I thought pumping it a few times was a must. I'd pump it a few times and crank for about 5 second then start. Not too bad it's an old truck.

Then I went out after reading gm procedure. Pushed it to the floor once and let up. Then cranked it and that MF Fired right up in like 2 seconds.

Haha I'm the ******* that has been doing it wrong!

Thanks for asking this question kid
 

thecantaloupeman

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I always thought that if you need to consult the manual on how to start it, you probably shouldn't be driving.
Well I can obviously start it, I just wanted to be sure I wasn't damaging the lifespan of the vehicle in any way.

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thecantaloupeman

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At first I thought this is gay. Then it made me question my starting procedure Lol

Usually I thought pumping it a few times was a must. I'd pump it a few times and crank for about 5 second then start. Not too bad it's an old truck.

Then I went out after reading gm procedure. Pushed it to the floor once and let up. Then cranked it and that MF Fired right up in like 2 seconds.

Haha I'm the ******* that has been doing it wrong!

Thanks for asking this question kid
Absolutely! I was doing the same thing, and when I tried the one pump it started just as easily, if not easier. I'm glad I asked this question too!

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82sbshortbed

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Well it seems I'm back to having to give it multiple pumps to get it to start. The 1 pump worked twice then not again. Oh well, I get it to start.

2 before the start then probably 3 during the crank. Then it fires off.
 

73c20jim

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jjester6000

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For some reason, a starting procedure is printed on the inside of the sun visor on my '74.
You must be registered for see images attach

Unfortunately, it does not apply when starting in -23 F. I'll tell you, it was a bitch starting it at that temperature.

Step 1:

Get pissed off that your fuel injected Chevrolet Suburban won't turn over due to the use of 20w50 oil in its 330,000 mile TBI 350.

Step 2:

None of your fuel injected vehicles will start, what makes you think that a carbureted vehicle will start?

Step 3:

Find out that 20w50 has let you down.

Step 4:

Get frost bite after pulling all of the plugs to relieve compression (What compression?) in the vein hope that you can get the motor turning over fast enough to build oil pressure.

Step 5:

Your balls freeze off.

Step 6:

Nearly faint when it actually turns over (That might just be the hypothermia kicking in).

Step 7:

Attempt to build oil pressure.

Step 8:

Say screw it after the gauge does not move at all, and dump a 10 to 1 mix of 2 stroke gas down the carburetor.

Step 9:

Keep cranking until the cylinders seem well lubricated.

Step 10:

Gash yourself the "radiator support" (Bailing Wire) and yell profanities while reinstalling the spark plugs.

Step 11:

PUMP LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!!!

Step 12:

Spew out some profanities before you realize that you fubared the firing order (cylinders 2 and 4 swaped).

Step 13:

Empty about half a can of either down the carburetor until it back fires through the carburetor and nearly burns one of your eyebrows off.

Step 14:

Self pitty until you realize that your driveway is at an incline.

Step 15:

Pump like mad, release the e-brake, then pop the clutch.

Step 16:

Bask in the glory of the feat you just achieved.

Step 17:

Spin a bearing.
 
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Keith Seymore

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Wrong wrong WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!

You don't grab the handle like that! If it kicks back that's how you get a broken wrist or arm.

You CRADLE the handle in your open hand(s). Bring it around until you feel compression, give it a quick pull up, and away you go.

K
 

Keith Seymore

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For some reason, a starting procedure is printed on the inside of the sun visor on my '74.
You must be registered for see images attach

Unfortunately, it does not apply when starting in -23 F. I'll tell you, it was a bitch starting it at that temperature.

Step 1:

Get pissed off that your fuel injected Chevrolet Suburban won't turn over due to the use of 20w50 oil in its 330,000 mile TBI 350.

Step 2:

None of your fuel injected vehicles will start, what makes you think that a carbureted vehicle will start?

Step 3:

etc etc

Spin a bearing.

You forgot the part about looking for the keys for a half hour before you do anything else.

K
 

Wumbo

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For some reason, a starting procedure is printed on the inside of the sun visor on my '74.
You must be registered for see images attach

Unfortunately, it does not apply when starting in -23 F. I'll tell you, it was a bitch starting it at that temperature.

Step 1:

Get pissed off that your fuel injected Chevrolet Suburban won't turn over due to the use of 20w50 oil in its 330,000 mile TBI 350.

Step 2:

None of your fuel injected vehicles will start, what makes you think that a carbureted vehicle will start?

Step 3:

Find out that 20w50 has let you down.

Step 4:

Get frost bite after pulling all of the plugs to relieve compression (What compression?) in the vein hope that you can get the motor turning over fast enough to build oil pressure.

Step 5:

Your balls freeze off.

Step 6:

Nearly faint when it actually turns over (That might just be the hypothermia kicking in).

Step 7:

Attempt to build oil pressure.

Step 8:

Say screw it after the gauge does not move at all, and dump a 10 to 1 mix of 2 stroke gas down the carburetor.

Step 9:

Keep cranking until the cylinders seem well lubricated.

Step 10:

Gash yourself the "radiator support" (Bailing Wire) and yell profanities while reinstalling the spark plugs.

Step 11:

PUMP LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!!!

Step 12:

Spew out some profanities before you realize that you fubared the firing order (cylinders 2 and 4 swaped).

Step 13:

Empty about half a can of either down the carburetor until it back fires through the carburetor and nearly burns one of your eyebrows off.

Step 14:

Self pitty until you realize that your driveway is at an incline.

Step 15:

Pump like mad, release the e-brake, then pop the clutch.

Step 16:

Bask in the glory of the feat you just achieved.

Step 17:

Spin a bearing.


Damn, that sucks.

I was shocked that my old 454 fired up during that cold spell. Didn't seem to mind the cold at all.
 

donnieray

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I love the way a random thread will just blow the hell up here! I've always pumped the pedal three or four times on cold starts on anything with a carb. One pump has been doing the trick for now, we will see how it works in cooler weather.
 

Keith Seymore

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I had no idea it is this complicated to start a car.

I always pump once then turn key and push pedal down at same time.

My dad observed that the race car was always the easiest starting thing around.

K
 

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