1963 Hard to start

[FoxyRoxy]

My 63 has been hard to start. I used starter fluid for a bit but then realized I could prime it by hand at the carb with the throttle. However it backfired last time and the carb caught fire a bit. I did add some lead substitute to the tank for its first fill up after owning her for 3 months. Could it be fuel and spark issue or timing or all three?

 

[Frankie the Fink]

Check the timing and consider changing the points AND condensor...

 

[FoxyRoxy]

I have only done timing on a chevy 350 v8 with all that visual room. Ford 390 not so much. Can you recomend a good link for instructions to do so? Thanks

 

[57tbird57]

i would suggest changing points and condenser to a pertronix electronic ignition. if you don't have a timing light, loosen distributor bolt and turn dist to the left until it reaches highest smooth rpm and then back it off about 1/4 inch and it should be pretty close to spot on.

 

[FoxyRoxy]

Sounds like a good place to start. I do have a timing light I used on my chevy but its very hard to tell where the notches and alignment tag are for the timing. I was going to start by removing the ac and fuel filter/pump and installing an inline filter and electric fuel pump.

 

[57tbird57]

Sounds like a good place to start. I do have a timing light I used on my chevy but its very hard to tell where the notches and alignment tag are for the timing. I was going to start by removing the ac and fuel filter/pump and installing an inline filter and electric fuel pump.

electric fuel pump is a good idea. i usually replace the old mechanical pumps with an electric one. have you checked the choke to see if it closes all of the way when engine is cold?

 

[FoxyRoxy]

Yeah. Getting old mechanical stuff out of the way and upgrading for sure. This engine has a copper line that goes from the manifold to the choke. Would replacing that with an electric choke help?

 

[57tbird57]

Yeah. Getting old mechanical stuff out of the way and upgrading for sure. This engine has a copper line that goes from the manifold to the choke. Would replacing that with an electric choke help?

if you are replacing carb, for sure. i usually upgrade to a holley 600cfm with electric choke