Truck stumbles and dies when cold - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my new 72 · 04-01-2002, 01:07 PM

When I first start the truck, put it in gear and give it a little gas to get it rolling in the morning, it stumbles like it got no fuel pressure. Sometimes it even dies. If I let off the gas and throw it in nuetral, then it picks right back up to a good idle. After I get it rolling, it does this for maybe two blocks, then seems to stop as soon as it warms up. On occasion it has even died after about six blocks when I brake for a light or a turn. When I start it back up it acts like the carb is out of gas, then stars after a few turns. Could this be something other than a carb in need of a rebuild?

**fine69** · 04-01-2002, 01:16 PM

What you are describing is normal for a Chevy. Cold blooded GM.

murfslaw · 04-01-2002, 01:20 PM

Check the choke for adjustment or if you even have one. Mine did the same after a super tune-up. I installed an electric choke and the problem went away!

*67Fleetsidedream* · 04-01-2002, 01:25 PM

It is best to let it get warm before you drive. This allows the oil to thin up a little and also lets all the internal components expand to their tolerances. This is good idea on all internal combustion engines. Makes them live longer.
67
Ben

Southpa · 04-01-2002, 02:35 PM

If you don't have the stock hot air return system, ie. snorkle and exhaust manifold heat collector, then getting one would solve your problem. Also, air filter might need replacing and make sure your choke vaccuum diaphram works. Does it kick down from fast idle when warmed up? Maybe fast idle isn't set high enough? Or normal idle set too low?Without all that stuff warmup takes a little longer.

------------------
Southpa
1970 GMC 1500 Custom
Victoria, BC, Canada

my new 72 · 04-01-2002, 03:18 PM

I have a manual choke, so that isn't it. I do have the stock hot air return, but not on the truck. Maybe I'll try to put it back on and see what happens.

SS454 · 04-01-2002, 08:31 PM

My '72 C10 stepside used to do that when it was cold and damp outside, on a cold start. I had removed the choke and the hot air tube, and had a 4" cold air intake duct routed thru the radiator support.

At startup, the truck was fine, and partway thru warmup it would begin to stumble, and often would stall. Shutting off the motor for 10 seconds or so would allow enough heat to come up into the carb to melt the ice that was causing the problem.

So, in the winter I would disconnect the cold air intake to let the carb draw in warmer air. In colder climates you probably need more heat to the carb.

------------------
'68 C20 - fresh 355,CH465,HO72,rough body
'71 C20 parts truck
'68 Chevelle ragtop project
'57 Belair hardtop project
tons of ambition

my new 72 · 04-01-2002, 10:31 PM

I live in Houston. What's ice?

O'l Buck · 04-02-2002, 02:46 AM

mine's that way too, but it has no choke hooked up, I backed the adjustment way off because this pos carb i bought in an emergency wouldn't run with the choke even part way shut. If I keep pumping the throttle till it warms up a little, it's fine, just takes a lot of fuel to start and my glasspacks sound like a 475 Cummins I use to have when I started it in the mornings.

------------------
'72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

04-01-2002, 01:07 PM	#1
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Truck stumbles and dies when cold When I first start the truck, put it in gear and give it a little gas to get it rolling in the morning, it stumbles like it got no fuel pressure. Sometimes it even dies. If I let off the gas and throw it in nuetral, then it picks right back up to a good idle. After I get it rolling, it does this for maybe two blocks, then seems to stop as soon as it warms up. On occasion it has even died after about six blocks when I brake for a light or a turn. When I start it back up it acts like the carb is out of gas, then stars after a few turns. Could this be something other than a carb in need of a rebuild? __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

04-01-2002, 01:16 PM	#2
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	What you are describing is normal for a Chevy. Cold blooded GM. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

04-01-2002, 01:20 PM	#3
murfslaw Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Tarzana, CA Posts: 78	Check the choke for adjustment or if you even have one. Mine did the same after a super tune-up. I installed an electric choke and the problem went away! __________________ 69 C10 lwb, 400 sb, Turbo 400,

04-01-2002, 02:35 PM	#5
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	If you don't have the stock hot air return system, ie. snorkle and exhaust manifold heat collector, then getting one would solve your problem. Also, air filter might need replacing and make sure your choke vaccuum diaphram works. Does it kick down from fast idle when warmed up? Maybe fast idle isn't set high enough? Or normal idle set too low?Without all that stuff warmup takes a little longer. ------------------ Southpa 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Victoria, BC, Canada __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

04-01-2002, 03:18 PM	#6
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I have a manual choke, so that isn't it. I do have the stock hot air return, but not on the truck. Maybe I'll try to put it back on and see what happens. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

04-01-2002, 01:25 PM	#4
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	It is best to let it get warm before you drive. This allows the oil to thin up a little and also lets all the internal components expand to their tolerances. This is good idea on all internal combustion engines. Makes them live longer. 67 Ben

04-01-2002, 08:31 PM	#7
SS454 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Geneva, FL USA Posts: 64	My '72 C10 stepside used to do that when it was cold and damp outside, on a cold start. I had removed the choke and the hot air tube, and had a 4" cold air intake duct routed thru the radiator support. At startup, the truck was fine, and partway thru warmup it would begin to stumble, and often would stall. Shutting off the motor for 10 seconds or so would allow enough heat to come up into the carb to melt the ice that was causing the problem. So, in the winter I would disconnect the cold air intake to let the carb draw in warmer air. In colder climates you probably need more heat to the carb. ------------------ '68 C20 - fresh 355,CH465,HO72,rough body '71 C20 parts truck '68 Chevelle ragtop project '57 Belair hardtop project tons of ambition __________________ '68 C20 - fresh 355,CH465,Dana 60, front disc brakes, rough body '68 Chevelle ragtop project '57 Belair hardtop project '00 S10 pickup daily driver '00 Chev Malibu the wife's car tons of ambition

04-01-2002, 10:31 PM	#8
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I live in Houston. What's ice? __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

04-02-2002, 02:46 AM	#9
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	mine's that way too, but it has no choke hooked up, I backed the adjustment way off because this pos carb i bought in an emergency wouldn't run with the choke even part way shut. If I keep pumping the throttle till it warms up a little, it's fine, just takes a lot of fuel to start and my glasspacks sound like a 475 Cummins I use to have when I started it in the mornings. ------------------ '72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84 ralleys and 31/10.5s 67 Cutlass convertible 330, 3spd stick 90 GMC Jimmy 350/auto Chad Stephens Orleans,NE __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

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