Hard warm engine start

Greg,
I'd say there's a good chance the engine is flooding especially since you mentioned you need to give it lots of gas to restart. I'm assuming you are opening up the throttle which allows more air to the engine overcoming the extra fuel. Next time, shut down the engine and look down the throat of the carb and see if you can see any fuel dripping. How long ago did the PO rebuild the carb? If recent and you do see dripping, I'd have to say the PO didn't do the best with the rebuild.

Could you recommend a good shop that rebuilds Holly carbs. I would attempt this but I've heard this is an "art form". Should I just go with a brand new one, since mine is an original, 25 year old Holly?

Thanks, Gregg

One thing to keep in mind is that you could put a new or rebuilt carburetor on the engine and have the same problem if you have junk in the fuel system that makes it's way right to the new carburetor.

What do you have for filters between the tank and the carburetor?

I look for Pete's drips after a hot shutdown, you might see them right away but watch for a few minutes.

I'd do some reading here on CCF and find a Holley manual for some more reading and you might decide to tackle a clean/rebuild yourself.

You'd need the right rebuild kit that might come to 40 bucks or so.plus a new gasket to go between the spacer plate and the intake manifold.

It's not exactly an art form

Kinda like getting that fish sandwich at McDonald's or learning how to fish

Gregg,
It's not a vacuum line It's there as a visual indicator of when the fuel pump diaphragm is ruptured. Yes, a new pump is needed. Sounds like there's your flooding problem.

Would have been easier to diagnose if the line hadn't turned a nice opaque amber due to its age. Thanks again for the advice.

Gregg