30 sec. Before Starting!

[bonsaiwino]

My '79 Spider runs great, but is hard to start. Here's what I mean: it turns over for a full 30 seconds before starting. Any idea what I should look for? Does it have to wait until the fuel reaches the carb....something else??
Thanks, Don

[sptcoupe]

It sounds like the fuel is draining out of the carb back to the fuel tank. Very common problem and really hard on starters.

I recommend you install an electric fuel pump, which will cure this problem completely. Any decent in-line pump designed for low pressure fuel systems will work. Mount it back by the fuel tank (I recommend under the car as opposed to in the trunk area), and hook up an inexpensive in-line fuel pressure regulator set to 4.5-5 lbs of pressure (if you have the stock or any Weber single carb) in the engine bay where you can easily get to it, ahead of the carb. If you are running an IDF or DCNF carb, set the fuel pressure to 2.5-3.0 lbs.

You can keep the stock mechanical pump on the car as a back up. Run a short piece of fuel lines between the pump inlet and outlet. If the electric fuel pump fails (not very common nowadays), you can just hook up the mechanical pump and be underway in minutes.

[bonsaiwino]

I feel like an idiot! I guess I never knew the proper 'starting sequence' for my '79. 1) Key 'on', 2) pump accel. three times, 3) start engine, 4) cruise away! Much different than my manual choke '69 many yrs. ago. Goes to show me that some perceived 'problems' may only need a little advice! Many thanks

[spidernut]

If the problem recurs, there are a couple ways to easily diagnose the problem.

1. Use a clear fuel filter. Look at the fuel level in the filter just after shutting off the motor (it should be completely full with no more than a very small air pocket). Let it sit overnight and look at the fuel level in the filter the next morning. The level should not drop. If it does, you need to replace the fuel supply check valve: http://marketplaceadvisor.channeladviso ... =255092515. This check valve should be located between your firewall where the fuel supply line enters the engine bay and the fuel pump. Many will tell you that you won't need this. Not true on a 79.

If the fuel filter remains full overnight:

2. Right after turning off your motor, remove the top of the carburetor and note the fuel float bowl level. Close up the carb and check it again in the morning. If the float level drops, you have a leak in one of the following places: Accelerator Pump Diaphragm, Power Valve Diaphragm or Auxiliary Pump Diaphragm. A leak in the Auxiliary Pump Diaphragm may not be visible from the outside of the carb. It can leak into the vacuum line (that is what mine was doing).

This is a very common problem on the 79 but is repairable without going with an electric fuel pump. If you decide to use an electric pump, I'd recommend installing an automatic cut off switch in case of an accident.

[RRoller123]

This is the Ford inertial shutoff switch that was recommended to me and DonM installed. I have one but haven't put it in yet. Typically mounted on the inside trunk wall and wired inline with the fuel pump 12VDC feed.

FORD: XF32-9341-AA

Pete

[spidernut]

The Ford cut off switches work well...maybe too well. I was driving my Ford and hit a very large pothole. By large, I mean it was so big that it sounded like a shotgun went off when I hit it and it blew out my tire. The cut off switch disabled my fuel pump when I hit the pothole. Thankfully the tow truck driver showed me where Ford hid it on my Escort.