engine doesn't fired up instantly.

[B67FSTB]

have a 351W-4V with an edelbrock carb.
When i start/crank the engine , after sitting it for a day or three , it doesn't fire up immeadiately.
It isn't the fuel because i mounted a valve in the fuelline.
I noticed ,when i changed the valve covers, that the rockers are all in the same position.
It seems that the valve springs pushes the hydraulic lifters inside down.
Is this normal and is the oilpump worn out a bit?Oilpressure building up slowly the problem? :rp :rp
Any advice or remarks are welcome.
B.

[B67FSTB]

Dave ?

[apollard]

How many times & how long each time before it will crank? I assume it is cranking at a normal speed-

It's not unusual for hydraulic lifters to leak down even overnight. However, the don't leak down enough that the valves won't open at all. If they didn't get oil, it might cause hard cranking, but I've never experienced that with either of my fords that had very worn engines / low pressure. In addition, my experience with oil pumps has been that the oil pressure builds within 3-5 seconds of cranking when cold (as long as it's not -10C!), so if yours builds that fast, I doubt it is an issue.

More likely a fuel issue. After it sits for a few days without cranking, pull the air cleaner, look down into the carb, then work the throttle. You should see gas from the accel pump, if not, the gas has evaporated and that is likely your issue (even if the gas doesn't drain back to the tank, it can evaporate from the carb).

[buening]

if not, the gas has evaporated and that is likely your issue (even if the gas doesn't drain back to the tank, it can evaporate from the carb).

This would likely be the case.  Are you absolutely sure all of the rockers were in the same position?  The car wouldn't run if this were the case.  Bleed-down of the hydraulic lifters is pretty small and not enough that you would tell by looking at it.

[daveSanborn]

Any advice or remarks are welcome.

Next time you try starting the car, hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while you first start to crank the engine.

See if this changes anything.

[Jack1966]

Next time you try starting the car, hold the accelerator pedal to the floor while you first start to crank the engine.

See if this changes anything.

My apologies B67FSTB, can I ask a related question of the experts here?  In starting a carbureted engine that's cold, should you pump the accelerator or not?   

[AzPete]

I pump mine 1 time for setting the choke and this also gives one shot of fuel into the engine. This starts it every time and leaves it set on a fast idle...until I kick the throttle to drop it from a fast idle.

[B67FSTB]

When you look in the onboard car manual , there is a topic that states to push the pedal once or twice prior cranking the engine.
To pump extra fuel and to shut the choke(plate).?