Cold Starting a Carb 308 | FerrariChat

Cold Starting a Carb 308

Discussion in '308/328' started by rob58, Jul 25, 2025 at 7:29 PM.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. rob58

    rob58 Karting

    May 30, 2020
    136
    CT.
    Full Name:
    Robert Orris
    Greetings All,

    What is the best practice for cold starting a Carb 308? I have heard DO NOT USE THE CHOKE!!!
    Then when do you use it? Then I test drove a US spec 1977 308gtb at a dealer here in CT. and the sales guy said pump the accelerator 3 times and start er-up! It started right up! and yes, it was cold. All Insite is welcomed!

    Thank you
    Sincerely
     
  2. ZikZak

    ZikZak Karting

    Dec 18, 2023
    174
    Vancouver/Los Angeles/Miami
    Full Name:
    Dickie Maxwell
    I've always been told to pump the pedal on a carb'd engine.

    As for the choke, it's my understanding that the concern is that the choke cable will brake. I don't know why that is a concern; I haven't heard of that being a common occurrence with 308's, and if it did happen, you can just close it manually.
     
  3. jgmblair

    jgmblair Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 27, 2010
    814
    Winnipeg, MB Canada
    Full Name:
    Jeff Blair
    I turn my key, pump runs and after approximately 1o seconds I give the pedal a good press to the floor and fire her up, she coughs, spits and farts then we're on our way! I disconnected my choke cable at the carbs and left everything in place. Its not the cable breaking that is the issue, it's the cold start mechanism on the carb getting stuck open due to a poorly adjusted or old and worn out mechanism that gets stuck open and therefore causes a constant rich condition. Better to not touch it!
     
    ZikZak likes this.
  4. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    747
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    No choke (it's disconnected), two full pumps, then just crack the throttle a wee bit, and crank. She starts immediately, then a bit of throttle to keeps the revs about 1500 for a minute or so before driving off.
     
    4right likes this.
  5. rob58

    rob58 Karting

    May 30, 2020
    136
    CT.
    Full Name:
    Robert Orris
    Thank you all, this is great advice! Now the mystery of (DO NOT USE THE CHOKE) has been solved! I often hear HOT starts can be an issue. Same remedy pump the gas a couple of times?
     
  6. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,834
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    No, just hold the throttle open a bit for hot restarts.
     
    bitsobrits likes this.
  7. LE06

    LE06 Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 26, 2022
    236
    Full Name:
    Lee
    Ditto on what everyone has said. My 308 seems to like 4 pumps if it is cold. Your mileage may vary.
     
  8. kcabpilot

    kcabpilot Formula 3

    Apr 17, 2014
    1,608
    California SF bay area
    Full Name:
    Paul
    This is why F1 ditched carburetors sixty years ago
     
  9. ChevyDave

    ChevyDave Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2019
    419
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    True, but we still enjoy riding horses, don't we? ;)
    - Dave
     
    ZikZak and LE06 like this.
  10. steved033

    steved033 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Apr 12, 2017
    10,082
    Atlanta, GA
    Full Name:
    Steve D.
    Good thing this a 308 thread and not a "my vintage f1 car won't start cold" thread.

    sjd
     
    ChevyDave likes this.
  11. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    11,234
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    No. :)
     
    ChevyDave likes this.

Share This Page