1956 Problem starting when cold

[rdeleo]

1956 TBird. When cold my car takes a number of hits on the starter to get rumbling. After start and warming up she runs fine and starts fine. I am sure without fuel injection this is nothing new but this car takes a long time. Has anyone added a choke or is there something else to consider?

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[BGordon255]

There should be a choke on the carb. It may be mis-adjuster.

 

[Shawnski]

1956 TBird. When cold my car takes a number of hits on the starter to get rumbling. After start and warming up she runs fine and starts fine. I am sure without fuel injection this is nothing new but this car takes a long time. Has anyone added a choke or is there something else to consider?

My ‘56 baby bird typically does the same after sitting for 3 or more days. I do have the original Tea Pot 4 barrel with the automatic chock that is set up and works perfectly. I had seen many other having similar issues and they found that the fuel would siphon back and or just evaporate. Some installed an anti siphon valve in the fuel line between the carburetor and the fuel pump. I tried this and had issues with the engine starving for fuel at times while driving. So, I opted for an inline electric fuel pump that I only use if she doesn’t start after the first crank of the starter. I just manually turn on the electric pump for about a count of 10 to 12 seconds, turn the pump off and crank it again where she starts pretty quickly.
I bought the pump sold in the CASCO site that’s designed for our baby birds. It mounts inside the frame rail where there’s a factory hole for those that had a standard shift model where I believe the clutch arm is mounted. Obviously if you have a standard shift model, you will need to mount elsewhere..

 

[Frankie the Fink]

You have a choke issue - seriously doubt its evaporation even so, a properly operating fuel pump fills the fuel bowls up in seconds. When I rebuild carbs (I've done dozens) and put them on a car bone dry, it takes just 5-7 seconds for the engine to light off, and usually on the lower end of that range. You have something mis-adjusted.

 

[doug7740]

1956 TBird. When cold my car takes a number of hits on the starter to get rumbling. After start and warming up she runs fine and starts fine. I am sure without fuel injection this is nothing new but this car takes a long time. Has anyone added a choke or is there something else to consider?

This is the starting procedure I use on my 6 volt,1955 Thunderbird.

Engine Starting Procedure​

Cold Engine - Sitting Overnight - Sitting For A Few Days

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over for 5 seconds.

(This not only fills the fuel filter bowl with fuel, it also builds up oil pressure)

• Slowly push the accelerator pedal to the floor and then slowly release the accelerator pedal.

(This closes the choke assembly and primes the carburetor with fuel)

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over for 5 seconds once again. If the engine starts, rev the engine once slightly.

If the engine did not start, depress the accelerator 3 times, but only ¼ pedal travel each time.

(This primes the carburetor with additional fuel, but keep in mind, T-Bird engines flood easily)

• Crank the engine over once again and when the engine starts, rev the engine once slightly.

Warm Engine - Sitting Less Than An Hour

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over and when the engine starts rev the engine once slightly.

Warm Engine - Sitting More Than An Hour

• Depress the accelerator pedal ¼ pedal travel and hold it in that position. Crank the engine over and when the engine starts rev the engine once slightly.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Tom Alpers]

This is the starting procedure I use on my 6 volt,1955 Thunderbird.

Engine Starting Procedure​

Cold Engine - Sitting Overnight - Sitting For A Few Days

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over for 5 seconds.

(This not only fills the fuel filter bowl with fuel, it also builds up oil pressure)

• Slowly push the accelerator pedal to the floor and then slowly release the accelerator pedal.

(This closes the choke assembly and primes the carburetor with fuel)

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over for 5 seconds once again. If the engine starts, rev the engine once slightly.

If the engine did not start, depress the accelerator 3 times, but only ¼ pedal travel each time.

(This primes the carburetor with additional fuel, but keep in mind, T-Bird engines flood easily)

• Crank the engine over once again and when the engine starts, rev the engine once slightly.

Warm Engine - Sitting Less Than An Hour

• Do not touch the accelerator; crank the engine over and when the engine starts rev the engine once slightly.

Warm Engine - Sitting More Than An Hour

• Depress the accelerator pedal ¼ pedal travel and hold it in that position. Crank the engine over and when the engine starts rev the engine once slightly.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

Doug, not to argue with what works for you but if you rev the engine as soon as it starts you will let the fast idle cam drop. I do pretty much what you do except for the revving the engine part when it starts. I let it run on fast idle for a minute and then blip the throttle to drop it down off the fast(est) idle cam.

 

[Birdman of coatesvile]

Had same problem on my 1955, rebuilt carburetor starts fine now.