Volvo RWD Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 2/2005

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

Simple modification for priming SU carbs

posted by  james_a_sousa on  Sat Sep 12 17:29 CST 2020
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
[RELATED]

I own a '64 544 with a B20 engine.

As others have found, the car has to crank quite a bit to start if it has been sitting too long.

I drilled a 1/8 inch hole on the top of the air cleaners over the throat of each carb.

I seal the holes with a sheet metal screw, flat washer, and a rubber washer.

When I want to start Beatlebomb, I close my battery switch (you DO have a battery switch don't you!) and crank the car a couple of times to see if it will start and to circulate some oil.

If it does not start I remove the screws and squirt a couple of eye droppers of gasoline into each carb.

Beatlebomb starts almost every time instantly!

You must be careful - the speed of the engine is NOT controlled by the throttle and you must be ready to shut off the ignition if the revs are too high for you.

After the car's idle is OK, I re-install the screws.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Simple modification for priming SU carbs

    posted by  john sargent on  Tue Sep 22 20:45 CST 2020
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Wed Oct 22 09:07 CST 2014
    [RELATED]

    My B16 powered PV544 had a lever on the bottom of the fuel pump. Manipulating the lever would pump fuel into the carbs after the car had sat without running for a few days. I don't think the B18 fuel pumps ever had the lever.
    --
    john








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Simple modification for priming SU carbs

      posted by  OwenF on  Wed Sep 23 01:36 CST 2020
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Sat Jul 7 13:55 CST 2012
      [RELATED]

      John, that sounds just like the mechanical fuel pumps fitted to many British cars in the 1950's etc. Needs a mounting point on the lower engine block and a hole to take the actuating lever.

      Ian F








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Simple modification for priming SU carbs

    posted by  Fredneck Tom on  Sun Sep 13 11:40 CST 2020
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS] [RELATED]

    My 65 544 has the same problem if not driven for 2 weeks or longer.My SUs have round air cleaners with the paper element exposed. I just pour about a tablespoon on gas on each air cleaner and it starts right up. It runs a little rough until the fuel pump fills the carbs but saves the battery and starter motor. Tom








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    Simple modification for priming SU carbs

    posted by  OwenF on  Sun Sep 13 01:27 CST 2020
    Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
    last visit: Sat Jul 7 13:55 CST 2012
    [RELATED]

    Apologies for showing my ignorance here (again), but does this B20 have a mechanical fuel pump? Many British cars of this era do have a mechanical pump, and if not started for a week or more you have to self prime the fuel system with a lever on the side of the pump. If you don't do this you have to crank the engine for ages until it fires.

    Ian F








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      Simple modification for priming SU carbs

      posted by  james_a_sousa on  Sun Sep 20 07:54 CST 2020
      Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS] RSS Feed     [IGNORE ALL POSTS]
      last visit: Thu Oct 23 18:51 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      I have seen pictures of mechanical fuel pumps with priming levers and if I ever see one for sale I plan to get one.

      Many owners of antique cars install an electric fuel pump under their cars to use when their cars suffer vapor lock - when the car starts, they turn the electric pump off.







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.