Strange starting issue

[Zero Signal]

Got the new motor started up yesterday so I'm pretty damn happy. I runs really nicely. It's all stock except the 347 (long story).

It has a solid idle and drives as smooth as can be, better than stock actually.

There is one issue that baffles me though. It will NOT start on the first attempt at turning the key. It always starts pretty quickly on the second try. I don't get it. Why would it do that?

I will admit that the starter seems to have a little trouble turning the fresh motor, but is there anything else it could be? I hate to go right after the starter.

 

[94stangfan]

Cheapest thing to check and not a bad thing to change is your fuel filter. (especially on a new engine) I am wondering if it is getting a little plugged and it is taking that little bit of extra time to get the fuel pressure up enough to start the car. Try keeping your key on for a few seconds before cranking it over and see if it starts.

Next thing I would check is your timing. You may be a little off on it, and that will definitely make the engine turn over a little slow. Although this doesn't usually happen until it is warmed up.

If you think it really is the slow crank causing this, make sure all of your ground wires are clean and connected properly. Also check the cables from the battery. My 86 had slow crank issues and once I changed the battery cables, voila no more problems. (about $20 fix saved tons of head ache) Take your battery up to autozone or something and get it tested to make sure it is good as well.

 

[Zero Signal]

That makes sense, but I believe the pressure is good and the lines are clean. I tested the prime pressure and hold pressure before pulling the old motor a few weeks ago.

Every part of the fuel system is brand new except the rails and lines.

The timing is at 10° base.

The grounds are all new, including the strap to the engine mount (new 8ga wire with eyelets, bolted to the frame with the paint sanded off and dielectric grease applied).

 

[HISSIN50]

I agree with the other thoughts. Re-test things, starting with the fuel pressure . Lots can happen during an install - chunks of paper towels get left in lines, etc.

Just for consistency, I would add a 4 gauge motor-to-body ground strap at some point.

And just to clarify, it cranks just fine but won't catch till you let off the key and try to start it a second time, right?

 

[Zero Signal]

I agree with the other thoughts. Re-test things, starting with the fuel pressure . Lots can happen during an install - chunks of paper towels get left in lines, etc.

Just for consistency, I would add a 4 gauge motor-to-body ground strap at some point.

And just to clarify, it cranks just fine but won't catch till you let off the key and try to start it a second time, right?

Yeah that's what happens. I may see what happens when I prime it a few times first. Yes I have experience with chunks of paper towels I looked into each line with a light just to make sure this time.

I did say 8ga for my ground strap, but I think it's actually 4ga. It's just a cut up piece of fresh battery terminal cable with gold eyelets crimped to each end. One side is on the engine mount stud and the other is on the body. There is no corrosion thus far.

 

[Zero Signal]

So I tried priming the pump a few times. The sound the pump makes when priming is . . . not good. After it primes about 4 times, it starts up perfectly. After shutting the motor off (and between priming it) I can hear gurgling sounds in the tank. All fingers seem to be pointing to the fuel pump I think.

I ran around with a return line blockage for about a week earlier this summer (sabotage by paper towel) and it must have murdered the check valve in the pump. Bummer. The good news is that this will be my 6th or 7th time dropping the tank and I've gotten pretty damn good at it. I think I still have the receipt for the pump too.

 

[HISSIN50]

Oh, you were the one with the paper towel. We've all done it.

If you have a FP gauge, you might as well toss it on and see what's going on while the pump is doing its thing.