Starting problem

[LargerCharger383]

I tried starting my car for the 1st time this year, and it turns over, but won't fire.  the feul line is charged up to the carb (when I loosened the line from the carb gas dripped out) but when I manually give it throttle, i dont see or smell any gas.  The carb is an edelbrock performer series 750, it has a stock feul system up to the carb. any ideas?

[TripleBlackGator]

Gas dripped out of the carb fitting or the line? Is there an inline filter close to the carb? Try a quick shot of starting fluid (it's OK) and see if it fires up and runs or dies out. You do have spark right?

[LargerCharger383]

There isn't a fuel filter close to the carb, I have spark, and it dripped from the line fitting when I started to loosen it from the carb.  I'll try some starting fluid, but I dunno if that'll help if its getting no gas from the tank.  worth a shot though.   I wonder if when the previous owners put the engine in, they didn't put a fuel filter on, and after sitting for a winter, it got clogged or something?...

[resq302]

If I remember correctly on my factory carb, there is a cone shaped mesh screen that might be clogged in your case.  If it fires with starter fluid, then the problem is between the carb feed line and inside the carb.  Just a thought also, your needle and seat could be filled with crud not allowing gas into the carb.

[TripleBlackGator]

Some carbs do have that cone shaped porous brass filter at the inlet fitting and yes it could be clogged if indeed an Edelbrock carb uses one. You could try working the throttle linkage and looking in the carb to see if fuel is being squirted in. Also try disconnecting the fuel line, crank the engine over briefly and look for fuel to come out of the line. If you don't care to use starting fluid (some people don't) then just pour a very small amount of gas in the carb and try starting it. There is probably something blocking the flow of fuel if indeed the fuel pump IS working. Let us know.

PS: Sounds stupid but make sure there is gas in the tank. I have been caught trouble shooting a starting problem for friends and myself only to find out I/we were just plain out of gas. Double check.

[Musicman]

  If you know you have spark, then start at the begining... Is there gas in the tank? Is the tank full of water? Is the fuel pump working corrctly, etc,etc...
I do not believe that the Edelbrock uses an inlet strainer...

[Chryco Psycho]

the Eddy / Carter carbs use a poor design for the accelerator pump , if it drys out it may not pump fuel so you need to remove the top of the carb & soak the diaphragm or replace it