Doesn’t start unless I prime with gas/starting fluid

[Call Her Bu]

I have a 78 Malibu with a 305 all original. It has the stock Rochester 2 barrel carb. Every morning I try to start it. I have to put gas or starting fluid in the carb to get it started. After it starts the car is fine. When I go somewhere, turn off the car and turn it back on it’s fine. It’s only when it’ss cold start. It also bogs down when I step on the gas. The carb was rebuilt also. I’ve put 91 fuel and Berryman fuel injector cleaner as well. Any suggestions or tips?

 

[pontiacgp]

fuel pump is weak, putting gas down the carb to start it helps the pump by pulling the fuel

 

[lilbowtie]

Check in the morning if your getting fuel to the squirts which sounds like your not. If that's the case it sounds like your acceleration pump isn't working - bogging kinda backs that up. Next question would be if you have fuel enough pressure to the carb. Then I would question the carb rebuild and settings.

 

[fleming442]

Pull the fuel filter at the inlet; see if it has a check valve.

 

[Call Her Bu]

Check in the morning if your getting fuel to the squirts which sounds like your not. If that's the case it sounds like your acceleration pump isn't working - bogging kinda backs that up. Next question would be if you have fuel enough pressure to the carb. Then I would question the carb rebuild and settings.

I will check in the morning to see if gas is spraying from the Jets. Thank you.

 

[Call Her Bu]

Ok so I have fuel going all the way to the fuel filter and no gas spraying out of the Jets. I’m gonna replace the fuel filter tomorrow. It looked pretty dirty.

 

[pontiacgp]

Ok so I have fuel going all the way to the fuel filter and no gas spraying out of the Jets. I’m gonna replace the fuel filter tomorrow. It looked pretty dirty.

fuel filter could be backwards, it takes lots of dirt to plug a filter

 

[565bbchevy]

Didn't some of the stock carbs have well plugs that would sometimes leak the fuel into the intake?

 

[MrSony]

Didn't some of the stock carbs have well plugs that would sometimes leak the fuel into the intake?

That wouldn't cause a starting issue this uh, frequent. When that does happen it will start and run once the bowls fill back up. My bet is filter was installed wrong or pump took a dump.

 

[Call Her Bu]

fuel filter could be backwards, it takes lots of dirt to plug a filter

I double checked. It’s the right way.