Re: Starting issue 49 288

Posted by Fred Puhn On 2018/2/11 13:22:09

I had similar cold starting issues with my 1950 Series 23 288 engine. After checking and fixing everything I could think of I finally solved the problem. I installed an electric fuel pump controlled by a switch on the dash. The pump is installed in front of the radiator core support where it is cool and does not show. The fuel line is in parallel with the mechanical pump so a regulator is not needed. To start cold I turn on the electric pump and wait a few seconds to let the carburetor fill up. Then with the key off I pump the gas 6 or 7 times to set the choke and pump some gas into the manifold. Then I turn on the ignition and the engine starts right away. Then I turn off the electric pump and drive away.

This method only works when cold. If the engine is hot it floods with too much fuel due to pumping the throttle. When hot I use the Packard instructions with no pumping.

When driving the car on a hot day the electric pump fixes vapor lock.