Thanks, finally got her started. Checked all lines and shined a flashlight on inlet and outlet of primer. Saw fuel going through both lines...must've really flooded earlier. What would be a general starting procedure so this doesn't happen for a third time? How many primes, do you pull first before you prime (if so, how many), etc. For a cold start only...she starts fine when warm like any sled.

 

These 583 engines are very easy to flood. I've dealt with these motors for years and my general rules of thumb are that when engine is cold and/or hasn't been run for awhile, open the hood and prime it. Watch the gas go through the primer gas line into the carbs. Once it starts getting gas into the carbs (and the primer gets firm) it should be ready to start. Once started, you will need to prime it a couple times as the engine starts to die to keep it going.

The most difficult times to start these engines are when they are lukewarm such as after sitting for 10 to 30 minutes. In this case I always try to start it without priming. If it won't start, try priming once or twice and it should start. If you flood it, hold the throttle all the way down and pull it. It will then eventually start. These are very strong and reliable motors once you get the primer figured out. Good luck.

 

Those are all good ideas my buddy has one and i have a 96 formula 370 the wifes sled lol but both hard to start when cold and flood easy. When we cant get them started like buddy said wait till the primer gets hard then two more then we use to stick a golf tee in the throttle and pull. It will start you can use anything that size that way to you can pull with both hands dont worry it wont rev up enuff to take off its just right amount.

 

97 formula z - I feel your pain

I have been plagued with an easily flooded sled for five years now ... but I love it

Like misty pines was pointing out , its those short trailside stops (20 minutes) that are the ones that I hate the most. I still haven't really figured out why she can run so well and be so stubborn to start when she's warm.

It is easy to over prime too. when its cold she starts best with... feel the pressure... and then two pumps of fuel. I put a new rip-saw 1-1/4 on it a year ago and love the way it handles. good mod but am ready to do some other stuff just not sure what yet.

 

Your problem above was you pulled it over before priming when cold

2-3 primes(you feel the fuel) and it will start guaranteed 1st pull

leave primer out and half squirt if/when it goes to stall

gap plug 18thou

Do NOT prime when engine is warm

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it! So when I primed it and it was dry when I pulled the outlet tube from the t-connector, was that because I didn't prime it enough to build pressure and move fuel? Only primed it twice, and it felt like there was no pressure behind it at first. When I pulled line and capped it with finger then it built pressure and gas flowed. Primed once I installed line and huge difference. Could there be a leak somewhere? Or am I simply not pushing the primer enough to build up enough pressure first?

 

takes a couple pumps to build pressure.

X 2

you can feel the pressure,once you feel it pump twice

and pull it will start every time

REMEMBER this is when cold