starting problems

I've never liked those, I know they have their fans, but I'm not one. We saw no end of trouble with those thing......... but some Eagle people swear by them.

Bill, you sure you don't mean the Prestolite electronic ignition? I know lots of people who have had problems with it (AMC only used it 2-3 years!), but few with Motorcraft ignition problems that weren't easily fixed (bad brain box or some other problem that was easily repaired).

One way to check the accelerator pump problem: pour a small amount of gas down the carb. If it cranks easily then that would indicate a bad accelerator pump. Of course it could also indicate an internal leak somewhere. My Jeep J-10 six w/BBD has that problem. Leave it sitting for 3-4 days and the bowl is dry. The carb needs to be rebuilt -- probably has a bad gasket somewhere.

I'd pull and rebuild the carb no matter what, not just replace the accelerator pump. It's old and there could be other problems. Rebuilding isn't difficult, just follow the directions with the kit. Get the gallon can of carb cleaner. It has a little basket for small parts and you can seal it and use later. Let everything soak at least 4-5 hours, overnight is better. You don't really have to soak the top or throttle plate (bottom), but make sure the center section with all the small passages gets that good soaking! Then blow through all the passages with compressed air or spray carb cleaner if you don't have air. Wear safety glasses!! If you spray air or compressed cleaner into a blind passage it comes right back out in your face!! That stuff stings the eyes.... (learned from long ago...)

billd wrote: . Magnets on the fuel line, or spark intensifiers in the wires might help.

I thinking more along the line of a "Tornado" in each of the air inlet ducts.

pacerman wrote: Not a new carb.   You would need to put a kit (rebuild kit) in the present carb. Kits are fairly common for the BBD.  You will need a clean, well-lighted place to work with a clean work surface.   You can rebuild the carb by following the instructions in the carb kit.  Rebuilding a carb can be quite daunting the first time you do it.  Just study the exploded view of the carb and follow the instructions to the letter.   You might want to get a hotrod buddy to assist you if you're unsure of yourself.  Also, a source of compressed air helps, but is not absolutely necessary.   You will probably need at least a one gallon pail of carb cleaner.  You will do a more thorough job if you dip the parts in the cleaner instead of just spraying with carb cleaner.

air conditioner and blower/fan, and parking lamps/lights (markers on the side and the lights in with the front turn signals).