455 OLDS WILL NOT START Q-jet

[Ed Wright]

I used to make my living building those things. Love them, btw.
When I tun into that, it is often the last guy failed to put the little wire hook on the inlet needle, or hooked it on the float arm on the wrong side. Ends up, if it was left off , the needle sticks in the seat, it should be pulled open as fuel evaporates, or leaks out through the main well plugs. Gum or varnish build up on the little Viton tip aggravates this. If just the main well plugs leaking, the bowl should fill right back up when you crank it. That is a small bowl, it does not take long to fill back up. That little wire hook, if installed at all, goes over the round part of the float arm over the needle. Not over the straight back side. Saw that a lot, as well as leaving it out.
Good luck.

[dennis dunlap]

Check the fuel sock ,,, on the tank ...or pump the fuel pump and see if it is constant good luck...............

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Back in my dealership days, we had an Olds Cutlass with a 350 4 barrel motor, same issue- no start after sitting. The carb was empty when this happened, and it had a difficult time pumping fuel to it at a cranking speed.After trying a few things, we ordered and installed a fuel pump and new neoprene hoses(which really were'nt the problem,) and the hard start problem went away with the new pump.If the bowl plugs leaked that badly, the engine would have all kinds of raw fuel inside it, and it probably would idle very rich. This car didn't exhibit that. No black clouds of smoke,etc. Start with a fuel pump, then make sure the hoses are in good shape. As far as dropping the tank to check the nylon sock, this car is probably old enough to need one. Sock particles going through the fuel system could cause further aggravations.

[MEXJOE]

I KNOW EXACTLY what you are talking about I see this all the time it is tempting and also in some ways, looks to be the way it should go, BUT IT'S NOT!
I'll take it apart and inspect it.I still am going to change the pump.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

I used to make my living building those things. Love them, btw.
When I tun into that, it is often the last guy failed to put the little wire hook on the inlet needle, or hooked it on the float arm on the wrong side. Ends up, if it was left off , the needle sticks in the seat, it should be pulled open as fuel evaporates, or leaks out through the main well plugs. Gum or varnish build up on the little Viton tip aggravates this. If just the main well plugs leaking, the bowl should fill right back up when you crank it. That is a small bowl, it does not take long to fill back up. That little wire hook, if installed at all, goes over the round part of the float arm over the needle. Not over the straight back side. Saw that a lot, as well as leaving it out.
Good luck.

[MEXJOE]

Thanks
I am going to try a pump and have a close look at the carb, the tank has been replace with a new one I guess??

Originally Posted by Greg Reimer 7376

Back in my dealership days, we had an Olds Cutlass with a 350 4 barrel motor, same issue- no start after sitting. The carb was empty when this happened, and it had a difficult time pumping fuel to it at a cranking speed.After trying a few things, we ordered and installed a fuel pump and new neoprene hoses(which really were'nt the problem,) and the hard start problem went away with the new pump.If the bowl plugs leaked that badly, the engine would have all kinds of raw fuel inside it, and it probably would idle very rich. This car didn't exhibit that. No black clouds of smoke,etc. Start with a fuel pump, then make sure the hoses are in good shape. As far as dropping the tank to check the nylon sock, this car is probably old enough to need one. Sock particles going through the fuel system could cause further aggravations.