1989 351 Ford fuel issues at startup only

If you’ve been starting your boat in late October and early November, it’s probably a lot colder than what you’re set up for. More choke via adjustment or a few pumps of the throttle before engaging the starter may be all you need to solve this little issue.

I sure would not adjust the choke now for what few days you might have left even in warm sunny OH.

My buddy’s carbureted 351 MC acts the same way. He needs a good carb cleaning, chicken leaning and adjustment and spark plugs which he’s going to tend to thisnoff-season.

Did it run properly and start better before the carb rebuild?

Could be but if it runs fine at full throttle I sort of doubt there’s a pressure issue. Still thinking choke or idle fuel mixture perhaps a bit off.

Did the carb rebuilder tune the carb on the engine?

I concur,

colder = more pumps prior to turning

Pumping while cranking is not the same thing and is less effective

Also longer duration between uses can leave the bowls empty due to evap, making your first efforts nill.

It was actually a cold August for us up here this year.
it may very well not be his problem but a cold carbureted engine always appreciates a pump or two before you start it.

8122pbrainard wrote: Dan, You must have missed these questions when you were on site last evening. tryathlete wrote: Did it run properly and start better before the carb rebuild? tryathlete wrote: Did the carb rebuilder tune the carb on the engine? Answering them may help us get a better idea of what's wrong.

Sorry that I did not answer the post questions earlier. Unfortunately, we had some flash flood water damage to our property Sunday nite so I have been preoccupied cleaning up debris.

Here is the history with my son's new to him '89 ski w351; I have a houseboat on a lake on the KY/TN border and that is where any mechanical issues were fixed:
Took boat out for the first trip to the lake in early June; tuned up boat replacing points and condenser; plugs in good shape; boat started and ran well.
Two weeks later, the carburetor seals started leaking profusely so it had to be rebuilt. Our mechanic (who is very good) sent the carburetor to a racing buddy of his who specializes in carburetors. I am not sure what specifically our mechanic did when he reinstalled the carburetor on the engine but boat started and ran well when we got it back from him for 4th of July weekend.
In mid July, starter died so had to replace it; boat started and ran well again with this fix.
Last weekend in July; boat started and ran well again with no issues. My son brought the boat back home to Ohio so he could use it on some local lakes Aug-Sept.
2-3 weeks later Mid August (air temp still high 70s - low 80s); 1st time he noticed having the problem starting the boat; once it fired up boat ran well with no further starting issues that day.
On two subsequent outings later (1-2 weeks apart and still very moderate temperatures), he encountered the same starting issue but again once started ran well all day.
His season was finished after Labor Day; boat stored in garage for about 6 weeks
About two weeks ago, I was helping him do his 1st winterization with his boat. The boat took 10 minutes or so to fire up even longer than what he encountered in his last few outings; Temperature was in the low 60s.
From some of the previous posts, he probably needs to make sure that he pumps the throttle more before engaging the starter. Any other thoughts? Really appreciate the feedback!