Hard starting in the cold

[wlivesey]

A couple of days ago it was in the mid 50's here in RI. Today we hit single digits, but since it was dry and a day off, I thought it would be a good oportunity to go for a spin. I need to do something about what I think is a coke adjustment. I had to crank it for several minutes before it began to cough and then finally start. Then it coughed and sputtered til it finally warmed up. Once it warmed up it ran great. Assuming its the choke, does anyone have a link I can go to that will guide me thru a choke adjustment.
Bill

 

[Keoke]

Hi wlivesay. We just finished a discussion on this subject. You can try pumping the choke about three times prior to starting. You can Install a Lucas sport coil and electronic ignition. Adding a towel over the radiator will speed warm up and will minimise the coughing and sputtering bit. Other than that your car sounds like a Healey.---Keoke

 

[BUNDYRUM]

Hello wlivesey, this is straight from my 1976 edition of SU carburettors by "Haynes". "Connect the mixture control wire with about 1/16" free movement before it starts to pull on the jet lever. pull the choke knob till the linkageis about to move the jet operating arm and adjust the fast idle screw to give an engine speed of about 1000 RPM when the engine is hot. Push the choke knob back in and check that there is some clearance between the fast-idle screw and the throttle stop". That should do the trick. Both the SU and 100/6 3000 workshop manuals by "Haynes" have good descriptions but i'm sure that someone will have other ideas they have developed for themselves along the way. The coughing and sputtering (spitting back into the air filters) generally means the mixture is too weak Regards, BUNDYRUM.

 

[BUNDYRUM]

Hello wlivesey, this is straight from my 1976 edition of SU carburettors by "Haynes". "Connect the mixture control wire with about 1/16" free movement before it starts to pull on the jet lever. pull the choke knob till the linkageis about to move the jet operating arm and adjust the fast idle screw to give an engine speed of about 1000 RPM when the engine is hot. Push the choke knob back in and check that there is some clearance between the fast-idle screw and the throttle stop". That should do the trick. Both the SU and 100/6 3000 workshop manuals by "Haynes" have good descriptions but i'm sure that someone will have other ideas they have developed for themselves along the way. Regards, BUNDYRUM.

 

[Dave Russell]

Hi Bill,
Not much I can add to the good advice above. The chokes are pretty simple. DO make sure that you are getting full travel on both choke levers when you pull the knob. About 7/16" at the lever, I believe. I don't know if you have the dual HD6 carbs or the three HS4's. If it's the HD6's, this might help: https://www.hazelden.ca/austinhealey/index.html
D