Trouble with cold start

[Vgrizzw]

Hello all,

I want to run my issue by the members here to see if anyone has experienced this or has a direction for me.  I have a mostly original 1984 i-6 manual trans eagle that has trouble starting when a: the car is cold, and b: especially if its cold outside.  I bought the car last fall, did all new belts, fluids, spark plugs, wires, coil and tfi upgrade and I drive it almost everyday.  It took a little extra trying last winter to start, but this year once its gotten colder it has become a problem.  All vacuum lines are original as is the carter carb.  Normally, or once i get the car to fire, it runs like a dream.  No sputtering or stalling, great gas milage (23-25), never runs hot, and once it starts from a cold start it fires back up instantly without a problem until it sits for at least 12 hours.  The choke does seem to operate normally.  It seems to have plenty of fuel when its trying to start (I can smell it eventually). It sputters and tries and tries, then eventually it'll sputter enough that I can modulate the throttle to get it fully started.  Then all is great.  If I drive the car every day the problem is less.  If it sits a few days then the problem is worse. Its only the cold start!?  Only other thing I'd note is that sometimes it will diesel when turned off to which I kill it immediately with the clutch.

All input is greatly appreciated.
Zac

[amcfool1]

hi do a timing check, then, make sure your choke is set correctly. Sounds like your choke is slammed shut.good luck, gz

[AMC of Houston]

Since your car is still stock, try setting all the carb adjustments and timing per the AMC IS-12e Service Letter.   PM me your email, and I'll send you a scan of it.

[Vgrizzw]

PM sent. Thanks for the replys. I verified the carb wasn't slammed shut and gave it a little try today but no avail to starting. Tomorrow I'm putting on a new starter solenoid, then I have an extra coil to try if that doesn't fix it.  I feel it's got to be spark/maybe timing.

Any supporters of doing the "ECM Test" bypass on my stock and, other than this starting issue, a great running car?

[Vgrizzw]

I changed the starter solenoid today but it didn't help anything.  Then I put a new coil in and it fired right up. When I did the tfi upgrade last fall I installed the pertronix coil. I just now installed an accel coil. Time will tell if this has been the issue all along.

[Vgrizzw]

So the car seems to have gone back to how it used to be last year with a very predictable cold start where it takes 4-5 tries then fires.  On the very first try it almost fires but then dies.  The next 2-3 tries are basically nothing but then on the 4-5th it fires up....any thoughts?

[amcfool1]

hi, your carb is probably draining fuel as it sits overnight, couple days, etc. This is not unusual with older cars, not good, but not unusual. May need to throw a rebuild kit in it. Takes a bit of cranking to refill fuel bowl. good luck, gz

[85AmCfreak]

Couldn't he just install an anti drain back valve (one way) after the fuel filter?

[Vgrizzw]

As I mentioned before the car starts much easier when it's warm outside. Only when it's cold does it take several tries. Do you still think it's fuel related?

[BigBird]

Any updates? I'm having the same issue.