Won't Idle until warm

[Rain City]

Hello - I have a 81 c10 with a 350 that was dropped 30K ago

One thing that I am having trouble with that the car will not idle until it warms up. I have to rev it a little bit for a few minutes before it will idle... we're talking Seattle weather too around 30-50 degrees lately.

Is this normal?

[low&slow]

i live in idaho and im having the same problem..im not an expert on this but its warm out right now were i live and i don't have to rev it..i believe its just the cold cause the cold makes your block cold..if that makes any sense to you at all

[redrat]

it sounds like your choke is not working.. What kind of carburetor do you have? it probably has an electric choke? it may just need adjustment. Let us know what ya have and we can tell you how to adjust it.

[dammitmitchell]

check your choke and make sure it's still working well =-)
and well that's pretty typical
p.s. good lookin truck

[Rain City]

To tell you the truth I don't know if it has a choke?

It's got a holley carb in it... here's some pics...









thanks for the quick responses!

[dga93]

I'm in VA and have the original 350 in my 78 and mine doesnt like to either.

[Rain City]

Any help would be appreciated!!

[tvblazer78]

Take your air cleaner off and see what the choke dose when you pull it out, it should close off the front two openings. Take a pic and post it.

[454HO]

Looks like it may be a manual choke, and it is just jury rigged. If so you need a cable so you can operate it manually in the cab.

Also looks like your throttle return spring is stretched waay too far and you have one of those cheap glass fuel filters. Both are not good.

[morcey2]

I picked up an 84 that had the same problem. Choke linkage was jacked up holding the choke open all the time. I fixed it and it starts right up on days where we were well below freezing and close to 0.

If that spring going from the throttle linkage to the front of the engine is your throttle return spring, you need to get it setup right and get a dual spring. It looks like it's going the wrong direction also. Not sure what that setup is. The electrical tape wrapped around the linkage by the vacuum secondary diaphragm also has me concerned. I don't know tons about holley carbs, but I'm pretty sure that's not a standard setup by any stretch of the imagination.

Matt

[LONGHAIR]

That rod/electrical tape mess is holding the choke totally off. It is a manual choke that just needs a cable installed to work properly. When the choke is working, you should not have to fiddle with the throttle to get it to idle.

[tvblazer78]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

That rod/electrical tape mess is holding the choke totally off. It is a manual choke that just needs a cable installed to work properly. When the choke is working, you should not have to fiddle with the throttle to get it to idle.

You are right, I just looked back at the pics and it not hooked up at all, just wide open. Good eye longhair...

[Rain City]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR
That rod/electrical tape mess is holding the choke totally off. It is a manual choke that just needs a cable installed to work properly. When the choke is working, you should not have to fiddle with the throttle to get it to idle.


You are right, I just looked back at the pics and it not hooked up at all, just wide open. Good eye longhair...

Wow you guys really know what you're talking about. I took off the air filter and 'crappy tape rod' and it looks like this



So... I need a choke cable (and housing?) My autoparts store should have this, yes?

In terms of hooking it up..Are one of these a choke handle/puller?



I would assume that it needs to go through my firewall... would it go through something here?



I am a super n00b and this is my first real 'running project', asside from my motorcycle/motored bike projects... so thanks for the help so far

[swb85]

Your local parts house should have a choke cable kit in the HELP section. You can run the cable through the grommet on your firewall by the distributor that all those wires are running through. Try to make smooth turns (avoid kinking it) when routing the cable into the cab to ensure smooth actuation. Here's a pic of where I mounted my choke cable, you can see it on the bottom of the dash right above the shifter.

[morcey2]

Originally Posted by swb85

Your local parts house should have a choke cable kit in the HELP section.

While you're there, get a dual throttle return spring. Should be in the same section. If the one you have breaks, you'll be in a world of hurt. I'm trying to find a picture of how it should be setup to post.

Matt

[Rain City]

OK! I got it, went to the auto store and got the cable. Just installed it, and can't wait to put it to the test.

I've only had this truck for about a month now, and I'm learning new things about it everyday - for better or worse haha.

THANKS GUYS!!

[88 Dippy]

Originally Posted by Rain City

In terms of hooking it up..Are one of these a choke handle/puller?

nope that is to allow outside air into the cab when it is pulled out

[Rain City]

Originally Posted by 88 Dippy

nope that is to allow outside air into the cab when it is pulled out

WOW Did not know that either. Thanks!

[88 Dippy]

Originally Posted by Rain City

WOW Did not know that either. Thanks!

no prob. there should be one on the pass. kick panel as well

[454HO]

Originally Posted by morcey2

While you're there, get a dual throttle return spring.

You should also get a metal cased fuel filter too, 'cause if that glass one breaks your whole truck could go up in flames.

[Rain City]

Originally Posted by morcey2

While you're there, get a dual throttle return spring. Should be in the same section. If the one you have breaks, you'll be in a world of hurt. I'm trying to find a picture of how it should be setup to post.

Matt

Pictures would be great... I'm trying to only purchase one project at a time when I go to the auto parts store, but it's tough.

Re: Fuel Filter - will do... Car in flames = not good.