454 starting issues
 

Background info: original 84 454 BBC with an Edelbrock intake with a Holley 750 Double Pumper (mechanical choke), big cam but other than that rather stock.

Problem: the other day I had an issues driving where it would studder under acceleration just after shifting. It shut off down the road and I tried to start it again and it was backfiring through the carburetor (white smoke) and just wouldn't start. I advanced the dist a few degrees and it fired up. But it throws white smoke from the pipe after advanced, so I assume its getting okay spark because it does start, just doesnt run great. I cannot find out whats wrong.

The main thing that gets me is that itll start good right after advancing the dist, but after that first start it doesn't start easy and will try to do a carb backfire again.

and heres a pic of the 84 K30 just for fun.

Re: 454 starting issues
 

Bet the dist advance mechanism has never been taken apart cleaned and lubed!

Re: 454 starting issues
 

White smoke equals coolant in the combustion chamber. So possibly intake/head gasket issue.

Re: 454 starting issues
 

I think I found some of the issue. The 750 I have is rated for a big cam, ported head, giant exhaust drag car. Doesnt do well at idle and likes WOT better. I moved it down to a 600 I had in my basement and it fired up good and ran pretty good. In the morning I will tune it better and see how it does. It was truly flooding the motor with the 750.