1966 Newport 383 2 barrel carb - no start

[Edison]

So I just joined yesterday after buying this car. I drove it around 80 miles yesterday, and it started up right away every time yesterday. I parked it last night and went to drive today, and it won't start at all. I cranks but no start. I remember the first time the seller started it after it sat, it had gas every I think due to a stuck pin but after that was taken care of it started ever since. I took the air cleaner off to see if it was doing that again but its dry.

I put 20 gallons of gas in it yesterday (topped it off) and only drove 80 miles so there should be gas in it (was running when parked last night). No lights were left on.

I went back home from storage and came back with my camera to get a video.

http://s117.photobucket.com/user/edisoncarasio/media/100_3238.mp4.html

I ran out of time on my memory card while checking carb, alternator, grounds, etc

 

[Edison]

UPDATE

Good news, I got it started.

Bad news, I think the choke might be messed up.

It seems to be stuck closed. I had a friend get in and turn the key, and I held the choke closed and then gradually opened it as the car started cranking over more. I shut it off and it started right up again. So I'll let it sit again over night and once the engine is 100% cold I'll go out by myself and see if it starts without tag teaming it. Once started, I drove it around a few miles and man does she purr like a kitten.

Also, I think it might have been swapped to a 4 barrel. While inspecting it, I can see four holes inside.

 

[tallhair]

Yes it's a 4 BBL

 

[Edison]

Yeah. The VIN says it was a 2 BBL from the factory, so I wonder if the previous owner just swapped the carb or if it has the whole 383 4 BBL with the higher compression (which according to my research was the mid level engine offered between the 383 2BBL and the 440 4BBL).

 

[Edison]

When I drove home, it only had a couple gallons of gas and the closest station was only a Casey's which only carries 89 octane at the highest. I had to fill it up with that to get home. Think it will be ok until I can put a higher octane of fuel in it? I read the 383 2BBL was designed to run on 92 octane and the 383 4 BBL on 98 or higher.

 

[Blue 300]

Carb looks a bit dirty. Spray it with some carb cleaner to de-gunk. Put some gumout/heet in the tank, and I always change the fuel filter on every car I buy.

 

[moper]

Can't see the pics on this PC but it's common for something that sat to have choke issues. I'd recommend rebuilding the carb. It's not hard and kits are cheap. Just look on the baseplate - near the mounting bolts - for the stamped part number. You'll need that to get the kit.
Also - the choke coil is in the intake manifold so you might want to make sure it's still in good shape. Some you can reset in terms of richer or leaner by removing them and looking at the coil under the "cap", some you have to bend the linkage a little to adjust.

 

[polara66hardtop]

same vin# is used for the two or four barrel in 66'. with the engine designation G for 383.

 

[Edison]

Thanks Moper. A carb rebuild is a great idea just to ensure longevity of the vehicle.

I guess only way to reliably tell which 383 is in it (since the 4 BBL factory 383 had higher compression right?) is to just put her on a dyno. :shrugs: I'll see if I can find a casting or VIN number or something on the engine next time I go out to the car (kept in storage so the tree next to my drive way doesn't damage it in a storm).

 

[polara66hardtop]

If the Intake says 2205968, and the carb says 4131, or 4133, then you would have the factory original parts. Those are the numbers for a four barrel 66' B or C body. There are no other engine ID numbers. The four barrel was 10.1:1 compression, VS 9.2:1.

 

[Edison]

I found the intake number, and it was 2205968. I don't recall exactly, but it was something like 2206081. I couldn't find a number on the carb. It was getting dark though so might have missed it. She did the same thing last night. Wouldn't fire up on her own, but with me holding the choke just slightly open, then slowly opening it once it cranked over (with a little gas from my assistant) she fired up and ran fine. Once I shut it off after this first start up, it starts up on its own every time from there (as long as the engine isn't allowed to get completely cold).

 

[polara66hardtop]

The carb number will be on the left side (pass) on the vertical base near the Nut or bolt is attaching the carb to the Intake. The choke is adjustable, as is the vacuum diaphragm that pulls the choke open. If the rod isn't moving, then the diaphragm is likely bad. The rod could also be maladjusted.

 

[Edison]

I managed to get it to start myself yesterday. I played with setting the choke to different openings and when I felt the engine start to fire up, I gave it some gas and she started. However, since I don't want to mess things up I am going to have a shop take a look at it. Thankfully the shop behind my gym (you would barely know they are there) said he'd be able to do it with no issue and we talked a long time about them lol. I'm starting to learn carbs and have an idea how they work, but with such a great car I'd rather her in professional hands for now.

 

[Edison]

Just an update. Good news though. I had a mechanic mentioned above got it squared away. The screw that holds the choke plate to the arm came out so the choke wasn't connected to anything. He took put it back together, placed the gasket, adjusted it and now it starts up like butter every time.