Stromberg Cold start issues

[stradi]

I have a 74 tr6 with stromberg carbs. They were rebuilt 2 years ago and have worked great until this year. When it is really cold here in Utah (below 40) and the car sits for a few days it takes for ever to start. Prim the pump. Pull the chock out and crank and crank the engine. One cylinder will start to fire then the others will fallow. Changed out the needle valves, adjusted the floats to about 16mm. Same thing. Then read something about trying to start with starting fluid. Took off the air cleaner and squirted some in each carb. The engine fired right up on the first turn. So I'm guessing I'm not getting fuel when I try to start. I've run out of ideas. Also checked the fuel supply and it is good. After I do get it started it runs like a champ, plenty of power and good fuel economy. Any Ideas?
Michael Scoggins

 

[RonMacPherson]

First place I'd look is at the gaskets under the cold start valves.

 

[stradi]

That was going to be one of my next adventures, looking at the cold start valves.

 

[poolboy]

In no way is this a comparison of the 2 climates, but down here, I found that I get faster start-ups with a Pertronix ignition.

 

[stradi]

I have Pertronix ignition installed.

 

[Opa]

check to make sure choke and cables are properly adjusted and that choke is fully closed when pulled out.You also can adjust fast idle speed on the choke cam. First pic choke full open,second one fully closed.
Looks like i gotta do a little cleaning in there :blush:

 

[stradi]

Thanks for the pictures. I will check it out tonight.

 

[TR4]

So Casey, where did you get those shiny chrome covers for the dash pots? Pretty Cool..........

 

[vettedog72]

I agree with Opa, check the cables to see if they fully actuate the choke. Sounds like the cable on one or both carbs slipped a bit.

 

[Opa]

Victoria British used to sell them and maybe still do....I don't know. They used to sell them for the 175 and 150 ZS.

 

[DougF]

After making the previously mentioned adjustments, I would adjust everything back to how it was when it was running great.
It is very hard to resist the urge of adjusting things when the carbs aren't working properly. But you have to remember that the engine was running well at the current settings. Carbs go out of adjustment so slowly with wear, that we don't notice the changes.
Common things to look at when Strombergs aren't operating properly would be: ignition, vaccuum, diaphragms, fuel filter, gaskets and o rings, damper oil, and linkages.
Good luck in solving your problem.
But the best advice I can give is, once they are set up, leave them alone.

 

[stradi]

Thanks to everyone that put up suggestions. It was the photos from Opa that did the trick. One of the chock cables had slipped out of position causing one chock to hardly open. Reset the fast ideal cam and repositioned the chock cables and presto. It started on the second turn of the key. Thanks again. Start with the simple stuff.

Michael Scoggins