[Healeys] Proper starting procedure for a BJ8

[BJ8 Healeys]

Jorge, you may have a carb sticking problem, but with Grose Jets I doubt it.  It isn't clear to me from your statement whether you still have the Grose Jets installed, but if you don't you may have a stuck needle.  You could try rapping on the float bowl lid with the handle of a screwdriver to unstick the needle (do it without a float bowl full of gas).  
Starting fluid is pretty cheap and available at your local auto parts house.  Get a spray can of that and give each carb a two or three second shot after letting the float bowls fill in your normal way, then try to start the car with the choke out.  
This is my normal way of starting my BJ8 during cool weather when it hasn't been started in several days.  It has always required that, both before and after my professional (Joe Curto) carburetor rebuild.  I have Grose Jets installed.

Steve Byers
HBJ8L/36666
BJ8 Registry
Havelock, NC  



---- Jorge Garcia <fortee9er at yahoo.com> wrote: 
> I am having a hard time trying to get my Healey to
> start after a two month slumber. It cranks, there is
> spark, and I can smell the gas but it just doesn't
> want to start. My procedure is to pull the choke all
> the way out (regardless of ambient temperature), turn
> key and let the fuel pump run for about 30 seconds
> before cranking. Yesterday I tried to get it started
> and after half an hour I gave up. I tried last week
> and after half an hour gave up.
> Could the carburetor needle valves be sticking and
> preventing gas from flowing into the intake? I
> replaced the needle valve with Gross Jets a few years
> ago because the needele valves would stick open.
>  Thanks
> Jorge