Hard Starting

I have to crank the engine for about 10-20 seconds everytime I shut it off. When it finally does start it takes even longer than usual for the engine to finally come around when it is cold and it runs even rougher than normal during that time. Once everything is up to temp it runs strong other than a slight stumble or miss in the lower rpm range. Nothing too serious just noticeable.

The only thing that I have done in terms of messing with the fuel delivery is I changed a dry rotted fuel line on the bottom of the fuel pump. I dont think it started then though. I'm thinking that either my fuel pump is going south or for some reason my carb bowl isnt holding any fuel once I shut the Jeep off.

 

Yeah I still run points and will eventually upgrade to hei becuase I have a Prestolite Dist. I will try adjusting my points tonight to see if that is possibly the problem.

 

Mine used to do the same thing points had nothing to do with it. Mine was the fuel pump and clogged filter. I run a mallory dual point and once my fuel problerm was solved mine would start instantly. Heck when I rebuilt my engine last year (166K miles) it started on the 1st revolution, points are not that big a factor unless they are totally shot. While I do have a Delco with a Pertonixs in the garage but until my Mallory fails me I'm not messing with success. Mallory has been in there for 8 years now without adjusting the points, my dwell is rock steady.
The roughness when cold may mean your EGR passage under the carb is plugged. My experience with this motor is that when its hard to start after its been running and warm is the fuel line is to close to the block (vapor lock) I moved my fuel line out about 3" from the front of the block and it cured that problem totally.

 

You mentioned that your carb float bowl may not be "holding any fuel".

I have had this problem. It was as if the gas dissappeared and the needle valve stuck shut. I took the top off the carb to peek in several times and the bowl was bone dry - even after attempting to start. After pouring some gas in to fill the bowl everything would be fine for a day or two or a week or two and then it would happen again.

The problem has gone away for now but may be lurking only to come back again - time will tell.

I'm going to take Mikes suggestion and move the fuel line well away from the block.

 

It has the exact same problem wether hot or cold. Should I still try this though?

 

I have also seen the timing be off "ever-so-slight" and cause difficult starts and a barely noticable miss. I'm not saying this is your problem, considering the fuel problem you discribed.
My Jeep sat for many years without being started- The first thing I did was replace the fuel pump, filter and all flexable fuel line (in addition to a new fuel tank and rebuilding the carb). Timing doesn't matter a lick w/o go-juice...

MM

 

I've never been able to figure out what causes the problem. I just have to wonder if the fuel line is too close, and gets too hot, possibly there's a vapor and/or a pressure issue in the fuel line between the pump and the float bowl. Could this vapor or pressure issue push (or suck) fuel out of the float bowl? I don't know.

I admit I'm grasping at straws. Moving the fuel line away from the heat can't hurt anything and may help solve a problem.

 

It was the points. Went to return the fuel pump which was the wrong one, pulled out of the parts store and the and the jeep died. Looked under the hood and a wire had come off my balast resistor which happens every now and then (I need to crimp it better). I put that on and the jeep wouldnt start. I thought maybe the fuel pump had coincidentally gave up at the same time but I was still getting fuel at the carb. Pulled the distributor opened the points up a little to see if I could get it started and it started on the first crank. I think the problem may be that I forgot to lube the the points and it's slowly wearing the plastic piece down allowing the points gap to decrease.

 

Riddle solved! Cool-

MM