Engine starting/running intervals

[john108]

Hi
My '68 Charger is close to being road worthy but still small things to do and chasing small issues.

How often do you suggest starting and running the engine?  In other words, how many days can you let it sit between starts?

Thank you
John

[Kern Dog]

I understand that your engine has already been broken in on the dyno so at this point, you can actually treat it like any other car. Start it when you want, let it sit when you want. I used to go a month or a little more between starting the Charger. Now with the 5 speed and my renewed interest, I'm driving the car at least twice a week.
Extended periods of dormancy like 3 months or more? That might require checking the carburetor for fuel and adding some through the vent tube if necessary. My 850 Demon actually holds fuel for a long time without evaporating BUT be aware that old gas in a high compression car in California is a bad situation. I've seen gas go bad in a few months to where it loses its pale yellow tint and gets sort of orange colored....and smells different. At that point, the VOCs have partially evaporated and the car will be hard to start and will run a bit rough. I've discovered that it is best to only keep as much gas in the tank as you might expect to use up and then either drive straight to the gas station or have 5 gallon jugs of fresh gas ready. Fresh gas mixed with old gas will help a LOT.

[Kern Dog]

My car starts fairly easily. Two pumps, crank it and it starts within a few seconds. I have a choke but it is not very smooth in how it works....it either hangs partially closed for too long and runs way too rich OR it doesn't work at all. I'm fine with having no choke since it doesn't get too cold here. I stay in the car and hold it at 1500m rpms for about a minute and then it idles on it's own after that.

[john108]

Thank you
I have been trying to start the engine about once a week or sooner.
I have the same issues getting it to idle on its own until it warms up a little.
I have a 1/2 phenolic spacer under the carb so warm up takes a little longer.
Are you using straight 91 octane or do you spike it with race gas?
John

[Kern Dog]

I'm running straight ethanol laced (Up to 10% as listed on the pump) 91 octane gasoline. A few years back, I did lower the compression to approx 10.17 to 1 using thicker head gaskets. I was close to 10.9 to 1 before....That required 100 octane and higher to run without knocking.
I seriously doubt that you will have hood clearance with a carburetor spacer and the intake manifold that you have. I have a RB 440 based 493 with the Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and I had to have a dropped base air cleaner made....I don't have a spacer. IF yours clears, I would LOVE to know how you did it. I'm not too old to learn new tricks!

[will]

I had to use a two inch air filter to get the hood closed with the fitech. The three inch filter just wouldn't work for me. Pretty much the same setup as your car Kern, 440/496, RPM. SD Concepts belt drive for the accessories.

[john108]

I have a Holley Street Dominator #300-14 inlet.
It is .66 mean height shorter than the Performer RPM # 7193 .
I also have the K&N 66-3040 Air Cleaner Assy- 14 inch Drop 1.25.
So, with a 1/2 inch spacer, if yours clears, I have a good chance.
Unless your drop base air cleaner drops more than 1.25 inches.

I have a 1.3 static CR.
We have the same cam.
To be cautious, when first putting some gas in the tank, I put 5 gal of 91 and 3/4 gal of 110.
If mixing works, the result should come close to 93.5 octane.

It is about due.  I may just go out today and start the engine and procrastinate about my gremlins.

Thank you,
John

[Kern Dog]

I have a 1.3 static CR.

That is really low.   

[john108]

OOPS
10.3

at 1.3 it won't ping.

[john108]

On some of the comments I received before I started the engine, the first time in the car), was to prime the oil pump.  I did that twice.  My interpretation was to fill the oil galleries and get the metal surfs wet with oil.  I agree that gas is also very important.  So far, the engine starts on the first click but keeping it running until it warms up a little takes some practice.
Thanks for your help.