[Larry Bilan (Farmer)]

Ok, I have one of the dumbest questions... I'm from the fuel injected or deisel age... (and the old farm trucks don't give me trouble), but my challenger is a little testy when i first go to start it. She runs like a top, but to get it to first turn over takes a try or two, I might be flooding it. What is the simple trick that I'm missing? Hit the gas half way and release or what? It's a 73 340, not that that should make much difference.

Thanks....

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

When cold give it a couple of pumps (all the way to the floor) and then take your foot off. THEN turn the key.

This pumps fuel in and also sets the choke.

They sometimes need another little pump just as it catches.

When hot don't touch the pedal. Just turn the key. Again it might need a little throttle just as it catches.

[Dave-R (Roppa440)]

Just another thought. If your ignition is weak for some reason you can have trouble with cold starting.

[Douglas Little (Dlittle)]

I have a 73 340 as well Larry and have experienced similar problems. The first problem is directly associated with the Thermoquad carb. For some reason the "O" rings in the bottom of the carb body will start to leak by and the engine starts as flooded. Once started it runs ok and will start easily again while warm if it has not set too long. I don't know if you still run a stock TQ but they are known to have this type problem. I also assume that the choke is falling in place when you set it for start. Mine used to hang up. I now have a problem that is lack of fuel and I have to turn the engine too many times if it has set for several days. I have replace the fuel pump but that was not a fix. It may be the carb leaks dry over a peroid of days. I really don't know. If your car starts as if flooded I would certainly keep an eye on the TQ. I believe a leaking TQ contributed to losing my motor a while back to the thin with gas oil. A good TQ I have found to be good on gas, has no dead spot and goes great with the petal to the floor. They are difficult to keep "good".

[Glenn Jackson (Henner)]

I have had the same problem with my rebuilt 71 340 also when cold. I give it no gas at all until it starts. When its below 40 degrees I pump the gas twice and pull the manual choke at the same time and it starts right up. Do you have any problems starting when it is all warmed up but has sat about an hour or so?

[Glenn Jackson (Henner)]

o by the way I have always heard there are no dumb questions but sometimes there are dumb anwsers!!

[Larry Bilan (Farmer)]

Thanks for the replies. For the most part after it has been started once for the day I don't have any other starting problems... unless I let off the key to quickly when it starts to fire, then it might be slightly flooded... (I'm used to the 92 Dakota and my GM farm truck. At least this year I haven't pulled up to the gas tanks with the challenger from the wrong side...). I have tried a few different things pumping the pedal... I'll be taking it out on Saturday to a wedding (girlfriend wants to impress some people, so I'll shine it up) I'll try some of the suggestions, thanks.

[Larry Bilan (Farmer)]

Damn it, I just had $1200.00 of work done... they changed a bunch of seals, gaskets, distributor, timing chain, fixed the carb (not a rebuild kit yet). Anyhow I took the car into town on a friday night... made a few stops and got stranded in front of a video store... went to grab a movie and it wouldn't start! Well it did finally start... right when the tow-truck was pulling into the parking lot. So I booted it home (didn't want to leave the car out over the weekend). The alternator was acting up, and the car wouldn't even turn over after I got home. The lights were working fine (had power), but nothing when I turned the key. Of course it fired up absolutely fine first thing in the morning.

He's picking up the car in the morning... hope they find the problem so I can take it for a spin.

The only thing that did cheer me up was when I was limping home... a blue 72 mustang fastback was crapped out (or maybe hit) in the middle of the main intersection of the freeway. I guess it could be worse; at least I don't have a ford!