What does this tell me?

[Guest batjac]

Well, I'm still getting to know my "new" '52 sedan, and a routine for starting it is still eluding me. Some times it'll start right up, and sometimes it'll take a couple-four minutes to kick over. And, when it does, it is only firing on about half of the cylinders. After a couple of minutes of warm-up it'll be firing on all eight cylinders and running good.

Yesterday, it just didn't want to start. Since it was in the upper 90's, I figured it might have a vapor lock or something. So, instead of running down the battery I waited until this morning. Still no luck getting it started. So, I gave up and got out the starter fluid can. One spritz and it fired right up, firing on all eight cylinders and smooth as can be from the first rotation.

So the question is: if it misses and takes about two minutes for all eight cylinders to fire properly on normal starting, why do all eight run smooth right from the start with a shot of ether? What does this tell me about what needs tweaking in the fuel/air delivery system? I was raised in the HEI/EFI/ECM era of engine controls, so this 2bbl points & condenser engine is outside my experience.

The New Kid,

Mark

[Guest Albert]

these motors are really simple to work on.. as simple as a briggs & stratton

lawmower engine.. i have 4 1954 Packards, and they will start in -20 below weather without a problem. the bigest problem i have had is bad points & condensor, and sticky valves, or should say stuck valves, 3 engines so far i have had to do valve jobs on just for that reason. Mine i have to pump the gas pedel a few times to set the choke and get some fresh gas into the intake. my Patrician was off the road for 20 years, and all i did to get it running good was do the valves and replace the points and condensor with new stock, the first year it was on the road i put 5000 miles on it trouble free, could drive it anywhere, and it always starts good, and its still 6V..

one thing is to make sure somone has not replaced the battery cables with those chinsey 12v cables 2 ought cable works good (welders cable).

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Sounds like low compression.

" I was raised in the HEI/EFI/ECM era of engine controls, so this 2bbl points & condenser engine is outside my experience."

Ha-Ha-Ha-ha!!!!! thats the best parity i've heard yet this year. Are u a comedian????

[Dr Morbius]

Another thing - when did you last adjust the float on your carb ? I have 2 Packards, both 54's and when set up right they are bulletproof. The genesis of your engine goes way back to 1923 and was probably the best motor made in America for many years, except possibly Duesenberg and Marmon and maybe Pierce- Arrow. And don't forget Peerless too, although many people have. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

....................Steve

[Clipper47]

Mark,My '47 was running in a similar manner after i bought it. It was slow to start and then would chug and blow smoke until it warmed up a bit and then it would run fine. I installed new points,condenser and wires and while it helped start quicker it still needed that warm up time to get all eight running. I rebuilt the carb and adjusted it by the book and installed a rebuilt fuel pump since the original was very low pressure it runs so smoothly now that I can start out right from cold without a miss. I would also make sure that the manifold heat is working since I find that my car is sensitive about that working correctly also. My guess is that the carb adjustments particularly the choke was the most critical to getting it too run smoooth from a cold start.