any ideas about this problem: my 78 always starts great when the engine is cold. But somtimes, after it has run a long time and I turn the engine off, when I go to re-start it, it starts hard, meaning I have to try 5-10 tries before it finally gets going again. What might this problem be and what should I do about it? Thanks!
Hello caravan3921,
As soon as you get a chance and have a willing passenger...
Ask them to stand behind your Pinto and see if there is an EXTRA amount of smoke comming from your exhaust.
IF YES Then your needle and seat to your carb are worn... OR your float level is too high.
IF NO then you fuel is boiling away in the bowl and you need to change fuel stations.
My vote is for the YES.
From Pintony
Check these things out-
        1. Choke set too rich- bad gas mileage is your indicator
        2. Overheated engine can evaporate fuel bowl
        3.  Make sure your distributer still advances as it should
        4. Make sure your vacuum advance still works
        5. Check for weak fuel pup and clogged fuel filter
        6. Dirty fuel lines
        7.Make sure your timing is set right
        8.Make sure your spark plugs are gapped right and  plug wires are
         Good
        9.Check coil output. Yellow spark=bad- blue spark=good
        10. Low fuel in tank- false "full" indication
        Hope these suggestions help
      Â
You said "sometimes", but do you have more details? Can you predict when it will happen? Is this someting that started to happen over time and has gotten worse, or one day it just happened? Have you checked anything that might be causing it? Does it "back-fire" when you try to start it?
I would agree, it sounds fuel/choke or timing related. If the timing is too far advanced, or if the advance sticks (or if worn) it canl cause hard starting when warm. "I" would put some gas in the carb (if no back-firing) and see if it starts. If the car is running too hot (bad thermostat, radiator, low coolant), it CAN have the same problems. Check the coolant system too.
Bill
if the eng. labors hard only when hot,it's either timing advanced too far,or excess starter draw .have a shop hook up a load tester to check starter draw. hope this helps, jim.
An easy check to see if it`s the needle and seat is when you shut the engine down pop the hood remove the breather cover and look down the carb...a steady drip drip or a pool of gas forming is a sure sign...happenned to me after a rebuild..I snugged the seat and over time it loosened...yup egg on my face yet again... ;D
I have the same problem put your foot to the floor when it does that next, and hold it there while cranking. After it starts, give it a second to clear the excess fuel out of the engine before letting up on the throttle. If that makes it start, then its likly your float is too high, as im sure mine is.