How to start a classic muscle car without flooding EVERY SINGLE TIME 🤯

[@davidfurst2807]

I've never done that to my '69. Which I've had since I was 16. Here's the trick. Keep the carb properly maintained!🤨

[@Iwillnotbepushed]

Well there is that. There’s a Sniper too.

[@smellsuperb1]

He's driving a car that's going to auction, we don't even know if it's his or not. And he has a classic car dealership, over 100 on the lot. Can't keep everything maintained 24/7.

[@kelsycunningham8452]

Bingo

[@hunterxsimple3821]

You got a classic V8 as a first car...? Idk if I'll have a car before I get a job, and even if I was like 26, even then a first car shouldn't be that powerful, right...?

[@foodhatesme]

@@hunterxsimple3821 you can't save 3k for a used car?

[@derekwhite9893]

A finely tuned carb will make a big difference

[@kelsycunningham8452]

I much prefer carburetors over fuel injection.

[@EmilyRose900]

​@@kelsycunningham8452 I can see how in a desperate situation like the apocalypse you would prefer it, but as of now, fuel injection is just better in every way. DPFI has issues with carbon build-up for sure, but MPFI has you covered in cleaning valves and delivering better power than carburetors and much better fuel mileage.

[@foodhatesme]

@@EmilyRose900 anything shy of an emp wiping out all electronics I'm going fuel injected. Hell I'd go mechanical fuel injection before going to a carb...

[@ChevyBoi82]

@@EmilyRose900lol dude if you can afford a $20k-50k muscle car I’m sure they can afford it😂

[@ckelley63]

Starting a carbureted vehicle is becoming a lost art.

[@windrider65]

My 69 Dodge Cornet, pump it twice and then hold the gas pedal about ¼ the way down. Would fire up every time.

[@moparchallenger749]

Sure is Remember the early 70’s Mopars? They would flood easily if you weren’t careful 🤞

[@countrydelite5956]

Remember the 1970's commercials with the Shell Answer Man. He said once its flooded, floor the gas pedal to let more air into the carburetor as you turn the key and start the car.

[@patsfan8057]

​@@countrydelite5956 Wow, the Shell Answer Man, that's a blast from the past!

[@YungEagle3k]

No. It's not. Stop being a boomer

[@peterrichard3706]

If it's got a auto choke, and it set correctly, one pump to the floor, then hold it half way. No turn the key. Should fire and run on fast idle. Wait two mins. Kick it and it'll settle on idle Three pumps an you'll flood it.

[@georgeblack589]

3 pumps won't flood it :-P You have to work pretty hard to flood an engine, or have your carb way out of whack.

[@grabasandwich]

I'd love to the see a cold start with the same car, but only touch the gas just enough to close the choke, and see if it does the same.

[@tommyjenkins7453]

Ha ha well said ol boy.but if it was mine the choke would be wired open or some crap like that

[@bigblockjalopy]

If properlly adjusted, it will start. It will even start without depressing the gas Pedal, If the choke valve is closed.

[@stev838]

If it’s cold the choke should already be closed. Unless you set it up warm which used to happen a lot

[@bigblockjalopy]

@@stev838 nope, if it was hot when you shut it off, the choke is held open when it cools down until you activate the choke by flooring the pedal once. This is true for every unmodified factory auto choke.

[@stev838]

@@bigblockjalopy right And if it’s cold the choke is closed. ?Long time ago seems like the electric chokes closed As I recall my termo quad would close as it cooled But that was many years ago sooooo My old Carter’s would snap it shut when you stepped on the gas. I set mine up so you did not have to pump it. If you did it was like rudely waking a little monster. I liked to let it spin a half turn and it would set at 650 rpm. Seemed better than spinning up a dry bearing All gm never ran fords

[@larrysutton925]

I'm a diehard Chevy guy but man that is a beautiful Mustang...the '69 fastback was always my favorite year model.

[@beetee801]

Most carbs have fast idle cams so you don't have to hold the gas pedal.

[@ThePower1037]

Yep, but nobody keeps the stock ones, and rebuilds them every 5 years.

[@Cam_Mac80]

I miss these lads so much. Used to air their show early on Sunday mornings in Australia but no more.

[@jeffbridgman7973]

U shouldn't have to pump it 3 times. The automatic choke should set on the 1st pump on a cold start when it's ❄️ outside. Especially if the choke is set correctly!!

[@kelsycunningham8452]

Absolutely correct. Don't be a three pump chump...

[@michaelraddish7898]

Like how he made sure in neutral,foot off clutch to save throw out bearing.thats an old school trick I was taught 60 yrs ago

[@janus4002]

How is that an old school truck? Seems pretty basic. Do new cars require you to step on the clutch or something?

[@impalalfx1108]

Yes newer cars does requires clutch in safety switch located behind the pedal 2 prevent start up in gear

[@Whats-It-To-Ya]

@@impalalfx1108 I always remove the safety switch. Then I can reach in and turn the key if I'm working on the car for some reason.

[@Fastcarsslowwmoney]

@@Whats-It-To-Ya I ran myself over like that a couple times after that I made sure I had a working e brake

[@Whats-It-To-Ya]

@@Fastcarsslowwmoney oh for sure. A working e-brake is a must with a manual trans. Especially if you live in the mountains like I do, always parking on hills.

[@diychad7268]

So I feel like I'm pulling out the only person that's going to say this but that fuel is not atomizing in the intake just sitting there, there may be some vapors forming but no atomization going on there once the fuel comes out of the injectors / throttle body / Jets/whatever you want to call the delivery system in a carburetor when there is not a vacuum being pulled as a result of a running engine

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

This guy delivers a load made for morons who have the money for all the cars I used to own but know nothing about them. Just a handful of performance cars were manufactured without a choke and if the carburetor and choke is working correctly one quick pump should get the engine going and the high idle system and choke should do what he said a person should do. Keep it running above idle speed, but not at 1500 rpm, until the engine is warm and a blip of the throttle takes it off high idle.

[@mrwp819300]

Maybe you're the only one saying it, but definitely not the only one thinking it. Gasoline sprayed into the intake of a car not running atomizes? This is some car guy. That's what I was thinking. I still cannot believe he actually said that.

[@janus4002]

If anything it will just sit on the piston. He probably means vaporize anyway.

[@dev4statingx90]

I have always wanted a classic car.

[@christopherkraft1327]

Great advice!!! I love the sound of an old Ford starting!!! 👍👍

[@powwowtrip5748]

👍. I was only pumping 2 1/2 times. No wonder it wasn’t working. Thanks.

[@jayeean3890]

Hell, that's how I started my parents 72 Chevy Impala 9 passenger station wagon which was always parked outside in the cold up in the northeast!!

[@kelsycunningham8452]

A carb that's set up properly (automatic choke tension, accelerator pump, vacuum choke pull off, etc) should take 1 pedal to the floor and up, remove your foot from the pedal. It should start immediately, as in quicker than any fuel injection system on a cold start. If the weather is freezing then 2 pumps will suffice. 3 or 4 pumps at -30 or -40. If the engine has been running previously in the day, say 3 or 4 hours earlier it should start just by turning the key. But then again I could be wrong. If you have to pump that much fuel into the intake something isn't right as in lack of choke action or possibly weak ignition.

[@12babyapes59]

His dad made a film about using a hand crank start engine.

[@Brian-fp3mh]

I remember going out in the middle of winter starting my moms 73 Cutlas for her to get it warmed up. I was 7 m, never flooded it! Lol

[@davidkaul6180]

my mom had a 68 galaxy been there.

[@redsealjourneymanreviews6647]

Dad said pump Once if Flooded foot to floor

[@Fastcarsslowwmoney]

Ehh If you own a carbed vehicle you should get comfortable tuning one where I'm at it can be 100+ in summer and 0 in the winter I tune my truck about 6 times a year but I love barely touching the key and it firing right to life no weird foot business required if it doesn't just start its time to tune it again vacuum gauge and a timing light are your best friends

[@davidjenson8124]

who already doesn't know this? and, you need only pump once

[@thekillercapricorn6334]

Always enjoyed your shows Peter.

[@johnrosier1686]

I still do this with my ‘68. It’s just instinct after 30 years.

[@garzilla8981]

Thanks for that. I will do that. Appreciate it.

[@dandunning4409]

You do that and you will destroy the bearings in your engine!! Never ever idle up your engine until the oil has had enough time to get circulated through out the engine. Extremely bad advise from this guy!!!!

[@time5620]

I agree with the pumps but how does gas atomize without vaccuum or air flow?

[@georgeblack589]

It doesn't. The accelerator pump doesn't atomize fuel, anyway. It's just a stream of liquid gasoline.

[@patsfan8057]

Well done, Peter. Amazing I remember how this used to be common knowledge for anyone that drove a car, up until around the late 80s. I'm not getting old, am I? 🤣

[@kendrickdonnelly]

That usually does work. The 10sec atomize thing isn't right.

[@shanewells9067]

Exactly how I was told in 1968

[@dougbrown549]

Sweet MUSTANG LOVE THE OLD FORD'S

[@hubertdeyette5070]

I remember I was walking in New York early one morning. I could smell the gas. This young girl in her 20s. Flooded her car. She keep pumping the pedal. I stopped and asked can I help you. She got out of the car and just looked at me. I used the old trick. Put the pedal to the floor and let it turn over. It started within a minute. She was happy and I was happy.

[@bartman898]

It surprises me that people wouldn't know this...I guess I'm just old.

[@tommykane4621]

Got the kid a P71 ford, he's 21 so is his car, he still pumps throttle cause it's "old" ..heh

[@theguy9234]

My 66 ford galaxie500xL. 1 pump to set the choke and every time. Fired right up. Though i admit. Many old worn cars needed the right touch to get them to start easy.

[@travisfowler8345]

This isn't the end all be all way... I've had many carbs with many different personalities that you had to know what she liked... It would never have fired with your way...

[@PhillyFail]

My father has a 1957 Corvette with a built 350 Chevy small block and a 420 mega blower from B&m All he does is he turns it over until he sees fuel pressure on the fuel line gives it a couple pumps and it starts right up and idles perfect.

[@UncleDonDon]

Tune the carb correctly. Pump a squirt of gas and a follow up pump just enough to close the choke. Starts right up.

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Wrong wrong once started let oil circulate at idle 5 min then idle up 600 rpm ... I been working on Cars 60 years you never have a car that Stone Cold at that high of RPM this guy is nuts I can show you some engines that's damaged from stupidity like I said let it idle for 5 minutes at slow idle and then bring it up to about 600 to 700 RPM everything needs to warm up uniformly especially a vehicle from 1985 back to Model T

[@viewer7138]

thank you for your knowledge. i have a question. how much fuel gets wasted waiting for a classic v8 to warm up?

[@quagmiredavis4117]

@@viewer7138i would rather waste a gallon if that much ..and not ruin a $10 k $ 15 k original engine ..and let come up to temperature ... calm down karen

[@danlevesque5437]

I grew up having the adults hate carburetors and I wound up with 2 of them the year it gave me extra greaf starting up I rebuild everything and then I got almost a year with zero issues and 1 pump maximum and they started up

[@mrwp819300]

@@viewer7138 No one that owns one is worried about that so you'll probably never get an answer to your question.

[@codyramos3200]

To the OP, then why have auto manufacturers used *automatic* chokes that give high idle for cold starts going back to the late 60's gm for example started using auto chokes in 69 I believe. 350 L46 engine Factory fast idle set @ ~2300rpm give or take 100rpms or so.

[@doriwilson6991]

Man I love the sound of that car. I miss my 68 very much.

[@alexiscalderon5343]

I'm trying this tomorrow on my 67 fastback mustang

[@31847448]

Having worked on Fords and switching carbs on my Mach 1 a few times, I suggest to you a Holley 4 with electric choke , stock jets and no modifications to vacuum hoses at all . The slightest of micro leaks in the vacuum lines from intake will goof up your performance and fuel economy. Run Supreme fuel if possible. I found AF42s and Bosch plugs seemed to be the best two types for my 351C and for a friend’s 67 GT 289 -only engine mods was a very mild choice Ford parts catalogue cam, Edelbrock intake, and headers and old school Dual point distributor and Accel coil . Chuck’s car started with a blip on the ignition switch every time . No pumping pedal and excess cranking

[@chuckcts-v3460]

Correct way to start a car with a quadrajet carburetor: First, push the pedal all the way to the floor/wot=wide open throttle slowly one time. This will set the automatic choke. Second, turn the key on, start the car. Do NOT touch the gas pedal. Car will start and come to a fast idle, if the carburetor is set correctly. As the motor warms up it should come down from fast idle, if it doesn't tap the gas pedal and it will come down to normal idle. Every time you push the gas pedal you are making the accelerator pump squirt gas in to the intake. If the car gets flooded, it needs more air. Push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there, this will open the butterfly's and let air into the intake. Turn the key to start the car, as it starts gently let up on the gas pedal and let the car warm up. If you have a owner's manual read how to start your car. Alot of info in a owner's manual, read it, most people do not. Especially with newer cars, they have a lot of features that you will not discover with out reading the manual.

[@HiroNguy]

When the carb is properly tuned the most "pumping" that's needed is *1* pump to set the choke and the engine should start.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Not if it sits for a week or two at a time before its started

[@tomwinkle1597]

Pontiac's you could press to the floor 1 time slowly and let off. That would set automatic choke. Once it warmed up just tap throttle again to release choke

[@robbsclassics]

I always set up my chokes to be held fully open with slight pressure at operating temp. For example, on my 55 Chevy I pump the gas once and the choke is set and it starts without touching anything else faster than a modern car.

[@theruralhotrodder1968]

a well tuned engine needs half a pump set the choke and it fires off instantly engine starts to rev up open the choke bump the throttle and take it off high idle

[@joeferreira7382]

We used to do ours 2 pumps , That way the gas run down like you say in the intake and into the piston cylinders , Gave it like 5 seconds and that baby would fire right up every time

[@Iwillnotbepushed]

Two pumps that’s right.

[@leimdog]

I always used 2 moderate pumps on ALL of our old Fords. You'd learn to get really precise with it based on temperature and it became kind of a pride thing.

[@stephenfabiano1242]

Old Carburated Ferrari's had the same issue! Infact, many Ferrari Mechanics Disconnected the Choke to STOP owners from Flooding the Engine! I owned a '69 Camaro SS 396 and a '79 Ferrari 308 GT4...this was the right way to start them!

[@ImTHATguy...]

If I did that with my Cobra it would flood like the Johnstown Flood. My Corvette wouldn't even make an attempt to start (before I put an electric fuel pump on), my Chevelle needed two pumps then two more pumps after cranking, a GTO I was working on for a while needed three pumps, wait a couple seconds and then two pumps after cranking, my 65 Cutlass was the same as my Chevelle, and both of my dads' 69 Z/28s you run the electric fuel pump, pump twice, crank a couple seconds, pump twice, then they fire right up. Every old car I own/have owned has its own personality and half the fun of owning them is I try every trick in the book while starting them until I find what works best. If I haven't started any of them for a couple months during the winter, then the process is completely different for all of them which also took figuring out through trial and error.

[@throttleblipsntwistedgrips1992]

one pump should be all you need...also sets the high idle so you dont have to "hold it there" even if you do flood it, just hold your foot to the floor while you crank it.

[@CCDProductions]

Carburetor might not be as fuel efficient as efi but it'll get you home that's for sure

[@paulwilliams2469]

My wife has a 57 Chevy pickup, I had a 65 mustang but my toy is a 95 astro van with a 383 stroker. I also have a 2003 6.6 at 700hp.

[@mrkaoz8619]

What is the one car you want to restore and what car did you sell that you want back?

[@kentmorton2872]

70 mustang. My first car.

[@thomaswoodmancy7096]

1964 GTO

[@FennixGamingYT]

I alway just pumped twice, and then held the pedal to the floor until it started and then feathered it until it warmed up enough that it could idle 😂. Works on my 1953 Studebaker and on my 1977 Airstream Argosy lol, both will fire up instantly.

[@erikduerbeck4526]

On a partially warmed up vehicle that works, it's a Ford after all and seeing it start and run that well means money has been put into it!

[@fathan16]

My squarebody chevy with original 350 starts every time, no pumping the gas required and it starts instantaneously. My wife's toyota sienna takes forever to start.

[@mariozermeno2649]

Can't believe you have to explain this But I guess it's a whole new generation that need to be taught this , if your set up is still stock all you need is one pump and let the carburetor do its thing the choke is hooked up to the exhaust system and when it reaches optimum temperature it heats up the coil that actuates the choke , it's thermostatic

[@josephg41]

I've got a '65 C10 original with 283 V8. It's got a manual choke but I don't always need it, atleast all the way. Assuming it hasn't been sitting for months and months, one single pump of the gas then I leave it alone, cranks right up.

[@Dallas9061]

Itemize?? Is the gas doing expense reports? 🤣🤣🤣

[@theguy9234]

What he should have said. This is how you start your classic car, when it's not set up right. If you have to fully pump the gas a few times and let it sit before you start it. Your carb is not tuned.

[@frankcooper8809]

I just had to pump mine once and it was good

[@bigblockjalopy]

This is the way you are supposed to start. Just ONCE, No pumping. Once just closes the choke, thats all whats needed

[@kelsycunningham8452]

Correct. On a very very cold day maybe twice

[@Sak-zo1ui]

Its too early to even dive into this one.

[@Harrybowles1969]

If it's been sat a couple of hours prob has dry fuel bowls with modern ethanol fuel, so your just pumping air. If mechanical fuel pump. A few cranks first, stop, pump start. Trick if you flood. Hold foot to floor and she will clear her throat 👍❤️

[@trevorwoolf8176]

Not if you have a choke If its Automatic then you pump it once.

[@jennifurzoe1302]

Or if flooded,hold throttle to the floor and couple seconds should fire it up.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Not my carbed daily driver square body. One pump to the floor to set the choke and fast idle cam linkage. Crank on the ignition, and she fires up Immediately most days. Let er run on high idle for a minute or two. Kick er down, and away she goes. Yes it works on 15° cold days too.

[@renesaenz5463]

beautiful, friggin beautiful i remember many morning waiting for my 65 to warm up

[@jamestyndall529]

Don't forget about the curb idle solenoid

[@jacobmurphy2721]

If it floods just hold the gas down and crank on it with the gas still held let it clear the bowl on the carb

[@silveradohd5946]

Beautiful car

[@b.vonschnauser207]

Waiting 10 seconds serves no purpose. The accelerator pump squirts the gas when you pump the pedal, the gas leaks down into the intake manifold, and that’s it. It will not “atomize”.

[@xDivinitysCreaturex]

"Choke me"

[@tommycanovan5892]

... pumping the throttle pedal doesn't cause atomization in the intake.... For atomization to occur forced air must be there.

[@67VWForever]

One bad ass car

[@magnus466]

I never had another problem once I started using 100% petroleum fuel. The stuff with ethanol mixed in regularly gave me vapor lock.

[@georgeblack589]

I had the same problem on my Falcon. liked to stall anytime engine speed was low.

[@terriecotham1567]

EFI is nice but the old Carb is simple Yes at 29 drug the EFi will premix the air fuel for that quick start like computer jet or turbine engine starts But you just can't beat the carb system when it comes to smiple no electricity sensors

[@VernLeRoy1962]

sounded like the Timing was off. I only have to do 1 or 2 pumps in my 65 mustang. then hit the Key & she fires up, my cold idle 1100 to 1300, dependant on outside weather. Electric Chokes are good.

[@TheMuddman74]

Hey bud, uh, there ain't any gas "atomizing" in your intake while you wait. Maybe "evaporating". When you press that pedal 3 times, you will get 3 squirts of gas from your carb jets which goes directly into the barrel(s) of the carb, dropping into the intake as a liquid. Once it's running, the air coming thru the bowls creates a venturi effect and draws the fuel down with it, and even then the droplet size is too large to say atomized. Fuel injection atomizes. Also I have an A body with a Chrysler LA small block that you can pump infinitely without flooding. Figured out how to do this by accident. Wont share my secret but often show the proof IRL. Beautiful Mustang brother! 👍

[@averagecarguy420]

My 77 caprice starts just fine even without pumping after I rebuilt the carb

[@danko1764]

My 74 dart swinger has a manual choke built into the pedal push it to the floor before you crank it to set the choke then turn her over and she’s purring

[@dennisford2000]

Once and only when cold . Below 30 multiple pumps.

[@waynehuffert7983]

Works good , on my ,02 sportie, 1200 too , lights right up cold ,!!!

[@royschultz1377]

Us old farts remember how to start a carburated vehicle, even with a manual choke.

[@keithlea6804]

Neighborhood has a 67 Chevy. 396 with a ridiculous holly carb that has been rejetted to many times to count. Trying to talk the old guy into dumping the holly for a more streetwise carb.

[@Iwillnotbepushed]

Step on the gas twice first time closed the choke second time gives more fuel in the carb. Start it and the choke should be closed raisins g the idle until it warms up itself and idles down. You can also kick the throttle by stepping on the accelerator very quickly and releasing. If it doesn’t idle down it’s not ready to idle down. My next tip is to get rid of the carburetor and install Sniper fuel injection. It’s a piece of cake and that stink when the weather gets cold is gone too. I hate carburetors.

[@glennoropeza3545]

The era of non computer controlled cars!

[@xxZerosumxx]

BOSS 429. My dream car

[@3644Darrell]

If you discount what it's worth, the looks, etc. and look at it as just a car, the 429 engine was not a good engine. It was designed to be run flat out on a Nascar track. On the street, not very good. Most didn't last 30,000 miles. Lots of oil leaks. They didn't even use head gaskets. I have a friend that has one

[@tonymiller8764]

I remember doing that for every cold start

[@toddb8779]

I have multi carb L71. I set the choke with the accelerator and let it do it's job. Three times. Brother.

[@ChessIsJustAGame]

My parents had a 69 Mercury station wagon. That was my job (volunteered) that I did in the winter. Wagon had a two barrel 390. Pump 3 times, wait a few seconds and then start. Remember it well.

[@codydillenbeck4443]

I had a 74 Nova with a 350 and 4bbl carb and always pumped it 2-3 times and always started up right away. I miss the fact the engine started with a literal blip of the starter as opposed of the fuel injected cars that take a few full revolutions to potentially start. Plus you cant beat the sound of induction of a carbed engine!!

[@ronashbaugh4351]

All you have to do is press gas pedal to the floor once to give it a squirt of gas and to set the choke if you need to pump more than once something is wrong

[@tmprillwitz]

To everyone talking about an automatic choke and it working correctly, this is an oxymoron. I lived thru the 70’s got my license in 88 and had many cars with carbs. Very rarely was the average 4 door classic beater ever properly tuned or had a working choke. Everybody thinks of badass cars when “classic” is mentioned. My fist car was a 1975 Pontiac Catalina 4 Door with an anemic V8 and a freshly installed manual choke kit. Payed $500 in 1988. Rusted out and barely ran with 120k on the odometer. I have 3 cars all over 20 yrs old with good paint and great running motors that start with the bump of the key. I love Old Muscle Cars but I’m glad I don’t have to rely on a stock one for everyday commuting. 😢

[@georgeblack589]

I daily drove a '66 falcon and '79 cj7 for a few years (I sold my reliable car, an '01 Saturn, to a good friend in need). I learned A LOT being on the side of the road. Now, I don't end up on the side of the road XD.

[@thatguyoverthere9634]

The trick is to tune it so it just lights off without you pumping it at all.

[@georgeblack589]

That would be awful rich once the engine is warmed up.

[@Mark_317]

My uncles 69 c10 has a knob to adjust the idle, dealer installed option from Minnesota.

[@zombenut]

Love that car.

[@oldfart8501]

using your head for more than just a hatrack is a lost art dude

[@binodtharu6071]

People with ev's: *p a t h e t i c*

[@AbdullahAlmutawa-ug8mv]

My dream car ❤❤

[@tomschmidt9923]

Have a 72 Q-code convertible w/ a Holley Sniper. No pump required. Can start car after a month thru window

[@timbrown5720]

For a second I thought you were gonna start talking about vapor lock

[@dmaxx4425]

It's a Ford not a Mopar

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Fords vapor lock all the time when it's warm. Especially on a warm restart. But there's really nothing to it if you start cranking and no start. it's like any other car Chrysler GM they're all the same Datsun did it too. Just start turning it over give it about halfway pedal and it'll fire right up

[@Mexican-Tank-Dempsey.]

Gran turismo 6 music playing in the background